Tortorella to be named U.S. World Cup coach

[Rich]

I know this is only for a tournament, but how does this guy keep getting a job?

 

http://www.tsn.ca/tortorella-to-be-named-u-s-world-cup-coach-1.364089

 

 

The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will showcase the game’s speed and skill…and maybe even shot-blocking and grit, if you’re part of Team USA.

 

That’s because USA Hockey will name John Tortorella head coach of Team USA’s entry into the eight-team tournament later today, TSN has learned. 

 

Tortorella’s hiring will be revealed by ESPN live on the field immediately following the “Monday Night Football” matchup between the Colts and Jets in Indianapolis. He will be available to speak to reporters on Tuesday afternoon.

 

Tortorella, 57, is the winningest American-born coach in NHL history with 446 victories.

 

Despite his impressive resume, which includes guiding Tampa Bay to a Stanley Cup in 2004, the decision to hire Tortorella comes as a bit of a surprise considering the glut of successful, active, American NHL coaches. 

 

Tortorella has not coached since being fired by the Vancouver Canucks on May 1, 2014, less than one year after signing a five-year contract.

 

Predators coach Peter Laviolette, who led Nashville on a stark turnaround last season, is set to pass Tortorella on the all-time American coach list this season (436 wins). Buffalo’s Dan Bylsma and Columbus’ Todd Richards were also strong candidates. Bylsma coached Team USA to a fourth-place finish at the last best-on-best tournament in Sochi, Russia in 2014; Richards and Laviolette were assistant coaches.

 

Jeff Blashill (Detroit), John Hynes (New Jersey) and Jack Capuano (Islanders) are the other American-born coaches in the NHL ranks.

 

If Tortorella is not hired by another NHL team prior to the Sept. 17, 2016, start of the tournament, consider the World Cup of Hockey his audition for his next job. 

 

Known for his fiery bench presence and testy exchanges in postgame press conferences, last season was the first Tortorella was not behind an NHL bench since 1998-99. He said in a Tampa, Fla., radio interview that he spent the bulk of the year developing his own “analytics package” and tracked every 5-on-5 goal scored in the league with longtime assistant coach Mike Sullivan.

 

Tortorella was also suspended for 15 days by the NHL during his last go-around with the Canucks, when he tried to confront Flames coach Bob Hartley in a hallway during the first intermission of a Jan. 18, 2014 game. He needed to be restrained by players and coaches. Tortorella said he’s worked on controlling himself.

 

According to usahockey.com, Team USA general manager Dean Lombardi worked on selecting Tortorella for the past month. Lombardi, the Kings’ general manager, was assisted by Flames president Brian Burke and Flyers president Paul Holmgren in the decision-making process.

 

Tortorella was head coach of Team USA during the 2008 World Championship in Quebec City. He was also an assistant during the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, serving under Ron Wilson.

 

The Americans captured the inaugural World Cup of Hockey in 1996, stunning Team Canada with a come-from-behind victory in Game 3 of the final at the then-named Molson Centre.

 

Team Canada has tabled discussions to select a coach until early November. Mike Babcock and Joel Quenneville are considered front-runners for the job.

[kelownabomberfan]

I've wondered that too.  Between Torts and Mike Gillis, they managed to destroy the Canucks franchise, probably for the next five years.  Torts should be working in a pizzeria, or as a security guard.