Matvei Michkov Reveals New Details on Fiery Relationship With Ex-Flyers Coach John Tortorella
Photo credit: Hockey Unplugged
Flyers rookie forward is opening up and releasing new details about his relationship with now-ex Philadelphia head coach John Tortorella, who was fired near the end of the year.
The Philadelphia Flyers and GM Daniel Briere fired head coach John Tortorella with only a few weeks left in the year after it became clear they would not make the playoffs.
Tortorella was replaced by assistant coach Brad Shaw on an interim basis; they've since hired former Flyers forward Rick Tocchet as the new full-time head coach.
Flyers rookie forward Matvei Michkov, who often drew the wrath of the fiery Tortorella and was even benched after a shouting match that was captured on camera, has since opened up about his relationship with the former head coach.
We have a great relationship, even despite what happened there. It all happened during the game. I understand, and he understands, that everything is based on emotions, and in some moments, he couldn't control his emotions, I couldn't control mine, and we told each other face to face.
We got off the ice, went into the locker room, he would call me over and say 'Damn, come on, excuse me, you're really wrong there,' and I tell him 'Well, you're sorry, that's it, there.' That's it. Let's go out, we don't show anything as a team, all together, amicably. We have one goal: to win. And we go out on the ice and do the same job and sail in the same boat.
Michkov finished his rookie year in the NHL with 63 points (26G, 37A).
The Flyers hired Rick Tocchet as their new head coach
The Flyers turned to a former player to guide them moving forward, hiring Rick Tocchet as their new head coach.
Tocchet, who won the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL's best head coach with the Vancouver Canucks only a year ago, left the Canucks following a season of hardship and difficulties that was also filled with locker room tension.
Tocchet becomes the 25th head coach in team history.
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