Former Lightning Head Coach Lands New Gig

Michael DeRosa

May 14, 2025

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Michael DeRosa

May 14, 2025

Partner

Rick Tocchet (© Geoff Burke-Imagn Images)

Former Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Rick Tocchet has landed a new gig.

The Philadelphia Flyers have announced that they have hired Tocchet to be the 25th head coach in their franchise history.

Tocchet had generated interest from multiple other teams, including the Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken, but he has decided to go with Philly. It is understandable, as he spent 11 seasons with the Flyers during his playing career and thrived there. In 621 games with the Flyers, he had 232 goals, 508 points, 1,815 penalty minutes, and a plus-59 rating.

Tocchet announced in late April that he was moving on from the Vancouver Canucks after coaching the last three seasons there. During his time with the Canucks, he had a 108-65-27 record in 200 games. He also won the Jack Adams Award in 2024, when he led Vancouver to a 50-23-9 record.

Tocchet's first NHL head coaching job was with the Lightning. In 148 games over two seasons from 2008-09 to 2009-10 as the Lightning's bench boss, Tampa Bay recorded a 53-69-26 record. He was let go by the Lightning after the 2009-10 season.

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