Tortorella puts NHL career on hold to coach Team USA
John Tortorella’s decision to return to coaching is separate from his desire to one day land another NHL job following a year’s absence.
Calling the two “apples and oranges,” Tortorella put his country first and NHL career second by jumping at the offer to coach Team USA in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Tortorella spoke during a telephone conference call Tuesday, a day after USA Hockey announced his hiring.
At 57, the ever-passionate and sometimes combative coach is returning to hockey. His 14-year career came to a sudden halt in May 2014, when he was fired after one year coaching the Vancouver Canucks.
With a 446-375-115 record, Tortorella is from Boston and the NHL’s winningest U.S.-born coach. He also won the 2004 Stanley Cup coaching Tamp Bay.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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