| Born: | June 24, 1958 | Draft: | — |
| Hometown: | Boston, MA, USA | Position: | Right Wing |
| Known For: | 2x Jack Adams Award | Shoots: | Left |
| National Team: | USA | Current Team: |
John Francis Tortorella (born June 24, 1958) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player. Tortorella was previously the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, and Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL); he led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship.
He is the first American-born NHL coach to reach 600 wins and has twice won the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top coach.
Tortorella is well-known for his outspoken and sometimes confrontational nature, which has included criticizing his own players as well as media members.
John Tortorella Statistics
Deeper Dive
- Kraken & Tortorella Would Make a Good Match
- Blue Jackets’ Jack Roslovic Learning the John Tortorella Way
- Blue Jackets: John Tortorella Explains Patrik Laine’s Usage
- Why Burke Anticipates the Tortorella, Laine Relationship Will Be ‘Just Fine’ [Video]
- Blue Jackets Held Back By John Tortorella’s Stubbornness
Coaching History
- 1986-88 Virginia Lancers ACHL/AAHL Head Coach
- 1988-89 New Haven Nighthawks AHL Asst. Coach
- 1989-95 Buffalo Sabers Asst. Coach
- 1995-97 Rochester Americans AHL Head Coach
- 1997-99 Phoenix Coyotes Asst. Coach
- 1999-00 New York Rangers Asst. Coach
- 1999-00 New York Rangers Interim Head Coach (4 games)
- 2000-01 Tampa Bay Lightning Asst. Coach
- 2000-08 Tampa Bay Lightning Head Coach (replaced Steve Ludzik on Jan 7, 2001)
- 2004-05 USA World Championships Asst. Coach
- 2007-08 USA World Championships Head Coach
- 2008-13 New York Rangers Head Coach
- 2013-14 Vancouver Canucks Head Coach
- 2016-17 USA World Cup of Hockey Head Coach
- 2015-2021 Columbus Blue Jackets Head Coach
- 2022-2025 Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach
Achievements
- Two time Jack Adams Award Winner (Lightning 2004, Blue Jackets 2017)
- First American-born coach to reach 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 NHL victories
- Stanley Cup Champion (Lightning 2004)