For me, it is about damn time. Rick Tocchet has had an impressive NHL career as player, most notably for the Philadelphia Flyers between 1984-1994 and again from 1999-2002. He is the Flyers all time leader in Gordie How hat tricks, and also leads the NHL in the same category. Tocchet was selected 121st overall in the 1983 NHL Draft by The Flyers.
Tocchet is a three time Stanley Cup Champion, sadly all with cross state rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins. He won in 1992 as a player, and won again in both 2016 and 2017 as an assistant coach for the Penguins. Tocchet played his OHL days for Sault Ste. Marie with the Greyhounds before becoming a Flyers regular for a decade. Tocchet also played for the Kings, Bruins, Capitals and Yotes. He had 440 goals and 200 assists in 1144 regular season games and 52 goals and 60 assists in 145 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Tocchet started his coaching career with the Avalanche in 2002-2003, and also was an assistant coach for Arizona behind Wayne Gretzky. He also coached with the Tampa Bay Lightning before getting a job with the Penguins. He is currently the head coach of the Arizona Coyotes.
Tocchet has had an impressive career not only as a player but a coach, and is a welcome addition to the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
-Branded Mitch
