John Tortorella Rejoins ESPN as Studio Analyst
Former NHL coach John Tortorella has rejoined ESPN, where he will take on the role of studio analyst for the upcoming hockey season. This announcement was made by the network, which is excited to feature Tortorella, renowned for his straightforward opinions and in-depth knowledge of hockey gained from more than two decades of coaching experience across 23 NHL seasons.
Coaching Career Highlights
Notably, Tortorella guided the Tampa Bay Lightning to a Stanley Cup victory in the 2003-04 season, a significant milestone in his career.
At 67 years old, Tortorella is no stranger to broadcasting, having participated in ESPN’s NHL coverage during the 2021-22 season while he was not coaching. Prior to his return to the studio, he spent six seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets, followed by a more recent stint with the Philadelphia Flyers, where he officiated over parts of three seasons. His coaching journey with the Flyers concluded abruptly on March 27 when he was dismissed mid-season.
Reflections on Coaching
Following his termination, Brad Shaw stepped in as interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, with Rick Tocchet expected to take the helm for 2025-26.
Just before his exit from the Flyers, Tortorella expressed his frustration about the challenging season, stating that he was not inclined to adapt his coaching style to the team’s struggles, as they sat near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Despite these setbacks, he previously emphasized his commitment to the Flyers, asserting in a September interview with NHL.com that he wasn’t ready to give up on the team and valued his role as a coach.
Insights and Future Plans
As he returns to ESPN, Tortorella aims to provide keen insights into the sport he loves. Notably, he has a wealth of experience, ranking sixth in NHL history for games coached—1,620—and ninth for total wins with 770. Beyond his analysis, Tortorella is set to serve as an assistant coach for the U.S. men’s ice hockey team at the 2026 Olympics.
Memorable Moments and New Additions
Tortorella’s previous tenure at ESPN included some memorable moments, such as raising concerns about the style of play within the league. He drew attention when commenting on a rookie’s flashy assist in a game, suggesting that such tricks might not align with the sport’s integrity, emphasizing the need for more traditional forms of play.
In addition to Tortorella, ESPN has announced that Stanley Cup champion T.J. Oshie will also join the network as an analyst, alongside a group of other familiar on-air personalities, including Bob Wischusen, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, P.K. Subban, Kevin Weekes, and Leah Hextall, who all return for another season of NHL coverage.
