Players who played under Tortorella speak out after Flyers name him coach
The Philadelphia Flyers announced John Tortorella would be their new Head Coach on Thursday, signing him to a 4-year $16M deal. Tortorella is one of the league's few remaining "old school" coaches that always seems to find his way back into the league. He's tough, hard-nosed and expects every player to buy in to blocking shots, playing a sound two-way game and being physical and tough to play against.
He prefers "old style" hockey over what we've become accustomed to in the new NHL - high speed, high skill and creativity. If you'll recall, Tortorella, while admitting the skill was excellent from Zegras and Milano's fake Michigan pitch and bunt goal earlier this season he also said he didn't think it was "good for the game".
When news broke of his signing with the Flyers, some of his former players took to Twitter and Instagram to share there thoughts, with former Blue Jacket Brandon Dubinsky saying "prayers up for Flyers players".
Another former Blue Jacket in Zac Dalpe asked if any Flyers players wanted a cheat sheet to Tortorella's training camp. He even poked fun at current Flyer and former Blue Jacket Cam Atkinson Saying other Flyers players could just ask him.
Tortorella has always had a love-hate relationship with players on his teams because he's very blunt and direct with his approach. It's caused rifts between he and Patrick Laine, Cam Atkinson, Matt Duchene and others over the years, so it will be something to keep an eye on as training camp begins this fall and into the 2022-23 season.
