The Philadelphia Flyers announced Thursday that the team will move from manager John Torrella nearly three years later in the organization.
The decision to fire the coach who won the Stanley Cup at the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004 came after he made doubtful remarks about his “interest” in coaching “this type of season.”
The Flyers have issued a statement announcing their decision in just nine games left in the regular season. Associate coach Bradshaw has been named interim head coach.
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella will speak with Shaun Couturier Center (14) during his game against the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center on April 16, 2024. (Eric Hartline/USA TODAY SPORTS)
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“Today, I made the very difficult decision from John to move on as head coach,” said general manager Daniel Briere. “John played an important role in our rebuilding, he set the standard of play and reestablished what it means to be a Philadelphia flyer.
“John's passion for the bench was on par with his philanthropy in our community, and as I moved on to the next chapter of this rebuilding, I felt this was the perfect way for the team to move forward.
Tortorera, who has long established herself as a nonsense leader, has now reached 97-107-33 with the Flyers. He was fired after a year remaining on the contract. The farewell decision came during a brutal slide of a flyer who lost 11 of 12 games and has only won six times in the last 25 games.
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella faced the New York Rangers on April 11, 2024 at Madison Square Garden. (Danny Wild/USA Today Sports)
Former NHL defender Thomas Kurchek, who died at age 45 after a ski accident
After Tuesday's 7-2 defeat to Toronto, Tortorera appeared to be responsible, but made some strange remarks about his coaching interest.
“There's certainly some frustration when you're in this type of situation, you're always losing and there's nothing at the end of the tunnel for you. But this falls into me.
“But I have to do a better job, so this will fall for me and prepare my team to play in the right way until they reach the end.”
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortella will be on the bench to the Pittsburgh Penguins in his third term at PPG Paint Arena on March 11, 2023. (Charles Leclair/USA TODAY SPORTS)
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Briere said at a press conference Thursday that Tortorella's comments on Tuesday contributed to his decision.
“It's one of those things that happened along the way. It's not a specific reason, there's no specific reason,” Briere said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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