Even Philly reporters can't stop asking Tocchet about Vancouver Canucks Miller-Pettersson feud
Rick Tocchet can’t escape the drama of last year’s Vancouver Canucks season.
The 61-year-old was introduced as the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers today and was still getting asked about the J.T. Miller-Elias Pettersson drama that clouded last year.
The two star players were engaged in a very public feud that derailed the Canucks’ entire season. Everyone involved has discussed the situation over and over, and even though Tocchet has moved across the continent, he’s still being asked about it.
“I’ve answered this before,” said Tocchet in his introductory press conference with the Flyers. “Huge J.T. Miller fan, we still talk today, love the guy, same thing (with) Elias Pettersson. Sometimes things happen, and there’s no bad guy. People are looking for the bad guy in this; some things just don’t work out, and you have to move on from it.”
The Miller-Pettersson feud was unexpected and caused many problems. Both Miller and Tocchet have now left the team, leaving just Pettersson in Vancouver.
Jim Rutherford has previously said the team tried everything to resolve the situation before resorting to a trade. Tocchet echoed that sentiment today and credited the strong group around him for helping get through the situation.
“Have I learned from things? Yeah. But I think we exhausted things as a group. I was lucky to work for Jim Rutherford, Patrik Allvin, and Francesco Aquilini, unbelievable owner. They were right by my side, supporting the whole time. Could we have done something different? Maybe, I don’t know, but I did learn a lot from that time there.”
The Canucks and Tocchet will now try to put that situation in the rearview mirror and focus on the challenges ahead. The Canucks will try to improve on this past season, in which they missed the playoffs. They’re now under the guidance of new head coach Adam Foote, who was an assistant for Tocchet.
“Even during that tumultuous time, the one thing I was proud of [was] the players,” continued Tocchet. “I’m really proud of that team, that we were only a few points out of a playoff spot with all that went on. So I give the players a lot of credit for that. You always learn from experiences and evolve as a coach, 100 per cent.”
Tocchet spent most of his first press conference focusing on his future with the Flyers, but one other comment will stand out to Canucks fans.
“The practice facility has three sheets of ice. As a coach, you’re like ‘Oh my god.’ Those are the things you want as a coach,” said Tocchet about the Flyers’ facility.
The Canucks lack of practice facility was reportedly one of the reasons why Tocchet left Vancouver and his comments seem to reflect that.
Interesting comment from Tocchet about the Flyers practice facility. Clearly important to him. pic.twitter.com/hn0BQdGrgs
— Ryan Henderson (@RJHenderson7) May 16, 2025