You can call Rick Tocchet "Mr. Hockey," and it wouldn't be hyperbole. Tocchet has done it all on and off the ice. He played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for six teams -- the Flyers, Penguins, Kings, Bruins, Capitals and Coyotes. Tocchet also coached in the NHL, and as of the date of publication worked as a television hockey analyst in Philadelphia.
The Beginning
Tocchet made his NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1984 and scored 39 points while picking up 181 penalty minutes as a rookie. With his ability to score and fight, Tocchet quickly became a fan favorite in Philly. He wound up playing 11 seasons with the Flyers and as of the date of publication was the club's all-time leader with 1,817 penalty minutes. The bruising right winger also ranks 13th in Flyers' history with 508 points.
Hoist the Cup
Tocchet was traded from the Flyers to the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1991-92 season. It turned out to be an opportune move, as Tocchet landed with a star-studded team led by Mario Lemieux. Tocchet scored 30 points in the final 19 games during the regular season with Pittsburgh and went on to win his first and only Stanley Cup championship. After spending two more seasons with the Penguins, Tocchet played with the Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals and Phoenix Coyotes before being traded back to the Flyers in 2000. He spent his last three years with Philadelphia and retired at age 37.
Behind The Bench
After hanging up the skates, Tocchet remained in the NHL as a coach. He began as an assistant with the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 16, 2003. It was a great fit for Tocchet because he had been teammates with Colorado head coach Tony Granato for two years with the Los Angeles Kings. Tocchet stayed on with the Avs for one more season and assisted Phoenix head coach Wayne Gretzky in 2005-06. He moved on to the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008 and was promoted from assistant to head coach 16 games into the season. In 148 games as Tampa Bay's head coach over two years, Tocchet was 53-69 with 26 ties.
In the Booth
Tocchet started his NHL career in Philadelphia and retired as a player with the Flyers. After his coaching days ended in Tampa Bay in 2010, Tocchet returned to Philly as a TV analyst for the Flyers on Comcast SportsNet. From playing to winning a Stanley Cup ring to serving as an assistant and then head coach, working as a broadcaster demonstrates how well-rounded Tocchet has been in the game.
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