Laval Rocket announces hiring of John Tortorella as its first head coach

 

After announcing yesterday the arrival of the Laval Rocket in the NMFHL, the Rocket and Canadiens joint management team announced the signing of young John Tortorella.

 

The young 46-year-old, played for the University of Maine in his college years, followed by a one year stint in Sweden and four years of minor pro hockey in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League. Tortorella never played in the pros. 

 

Tortorella's coaching career began with the AHL's Rochester Americans and the ECHL’s Virginia Lancers. He was also an assistant coach for the AHL's New Haven Nighthawks and Rochester Americans.

 

Tortorella (or "Torts" as he is sometimes called by the press and the fans) is known for his outspoken nature, which has included criticizing his own players.

 

Tortorella is expected to work with players like Zholtok, Stillman, Glen Murray, Chris Pronger and Roman Hamrlik in order to get them ready to graduate to the pros in the next few years.

 

-The Montreal Gazette