John Tortorella Makes NHL History with 1,500 Games Coached
SEATTLE, Wa. — On Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, John Tortorella will achieve a significant milestone as he becomes the eighth coach in NHL history to reach 1,500 games. Notably, Tortorella is also the first coach born in the United States to accomplish this feat. The Philadelphia Flyers will face off against the Kraken in this historic game.
In addition to this milestone, Tortorella’s coaching career reached another milestone on Thursday when the Flyers secured a 4-1 victory in Vancouver. This win marked his 723rd victory as a coach, propelling him into sole possession of 10th place on the all-time list. The players acknowledged this achievement in a video posted on the team’s social media channels.
Tortorella, a 65-year-old Boston native, is currently in his 22nd season as an NHL head coach and his second season with the Flyers. Throughout his career, he has also coached the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, and Columbus Blue Jackets. With a record of 723-590-149 and 32 ties, Tortorella has led his teams to the playoffs on 12 separate occasions. He has also been recognized as the league’s top head coach twice, winning the Jack Adams award in 2004 with the Lightning and in 2017 with the Blue Jackets. Additionally, he won a Stanley Cup with the Lightning in the 2003-04 season.
Despite his fiery demeanor off the ice and in press conferences, Tortorella has gained a reputation for his coaching abilities. He is known for his blunt assessments of players and his ability to motivate them to perform at their best. Tortorella’s four-year contract with the Flyers has proven successful so far, as the team has exceeded expectations and currently holds a playoff position.
When asked about reaching the milestone of 1,500 games coached, Tortorella expressed gratitude for the opportunities he has been given to work with athletes. Coaching has been his life, and he appreciates the trust that people have placed in him. He emphasized his love for coaching and being around the players, stating that the number itself is not important to him.
Tortorella joins Lindy Ruff of the Devils and Paul Maurice of the Panthers as active NHL head coaches who have reached 1,500 games coached. Among U.S.-born coaches, only Rangers coach Peter Laviolette has more wins in NHL history, with 776.
As Tortorella continues to make history in the NHL, his passion for coaching and dedication to his players remain unwavering.