Career Timeline of John Tortorella: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how John Tortorella made an impact.

John Tortorella is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player. He has served as head coach for several NHL teams, including the Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, and Philadelphia Flyers. His most notable achievement is leading the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup in 2004, marking a significant milestone in his coaching career.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1981: Plays in Sweden

In 1981, John Tortorella began playing hockey in Sweden for Kristianstads IK.

1982: Returns to US Hockey

In 1982, John Tortorella returned to the United States to play in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League.

1986: End of Hockey Career

In 1986, John Tortorella concluded his playing career in minor professional ice hockey.

1988: Helps name ECHL

In 1988, John Tortorella is credited with coming up with the name for the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL).

1996: Calder Cup Win

In 1996, John Tortorella won the Calder Cup with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League (AHL).

2000: Lightning Head Coach

In 2000, John Tortorella became the head coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning midseason.

2002: First Winning Season

In the 2002–03 season, John Tortorella had his first winning season as an NHL head coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2003: Southeast Division Title

In 2003, John Tortorella's Lightning won their first Southeast Division title, losing to the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the playoffs. He was also a finalist for the Jack Adams Award.

2004: Stanley Cup Win and Jack Adams Award

In 2004, John Tortorella led the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup and was awarded the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year.

2004: Stanley Cup Championship

In 2004, John Tortorella led the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup championship.

2006: Grahame Signs with Hurricanes

Before the start of the 2006–07 season, John Grahame signed with the Carolina Hurricanes.

March 11, 2008: Most Successful American-Born Coach

On March 11, 2008, John Tortorella surpassed Bob Johnson as the most successful American-born NHL coach with 235 victories after the Lightning defeated the New York Islanders.

November 7, 2008: Laviolette Overtakes Victory Total

On November 7, 2008, while John Tortorella was an in-studio panelist on the NHL on TSN, Peter Laviolette overtook his victory total for an American coach.

2008: Assistant Coach for US National Team

In 2008, John Tortorella became the assistant coach of the United States men's national ice hockey team, replacing Peter Laviolette.

February 23, 2009: Rangers Head Coach

On February 23, 2009, John Tortorella was named head coach of the New York Rangers, replacing Tom Renney.

2009: Continued as Assistant Coach for US National Team

In 2009, John Tortorella continued as the assistant coach of the United States men's national ice hockey team and they finished sixth at the IIHF World Championship.

2009: Rivalry with Laviolette

In 2009, when Peter Laviolette became coach of the Philadelphia Flyers, the rivalry between the two teams became further heated with Tortorella and Laviolette being the winningest U.S.-born coaches in NHL history.

November 20, 2010: 300 NHL Wins

On November 20, 2010, John Tortorella became the first American-born coach to reach 300 NHL victories when the Rangers defeated the Minnesota Wild.

2011: Rangers' 50-Win Season

In the 2011–12 season, John Tortorella guided the New York Rangers to their third-ever 50-win season and the best record in the Eastern Conference. He was also a finalist for the Jack Adams Award.

March 26, 2013: 400 Career Wins

On March 26, 2013, John Tortorella became the first U.S.-born coach to reach 400 career victories with a 5–2 defeat of Peter Laviolette's Flyers.

May 29, 2013: Fired by Rangers

On May 29, 2013, John Tortorella was fired by the New York Rangers after their elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

June 25, 2013: Canucks New Coach

On June 25, 2013, the Vancouver Canucks announced John Tortorella as the team's new coach.

October 5, 2013: First Victory with Canucks

On October 5, 2013, John Tortorella earned his first victory with the Canucks against the Edmonton Oilers, with a final score of 6–2.

May 1, 2014: Fired by Canucks

On May 1, 2014, John Tortorella was fired as coach by the Vancouver Canucks after they missed the playoffs. Assistant coach Mike Sullivan was also fired.

October 21, 2015: Blue Jackets Head Coach

On October 21, 2015, John Tortorella was hired as the Columbus Blue Jackets' head coach, replacing Todd Richards.

March 19, 2016: Coaches 1000th NHL Game

On March 19, 2016, when the Blue Jackets faced the New Jersey Devils, John Tortorella became the 26th head coach in NHL history, and the first born in the United States, to coach 1,000 games.

December 18, 2016: 500th Victory and Jack Adams Award

On December 18, 2016, the Blue Jackets defeated the Canucks, making John Tortorella the first American-born coach with 500 victories. His success in the 2016–17 NHL season resulted in his second Jack Adams Award.

2016: Coached Team USA at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey

In 2016, John Tortorella coached Team USA at the World Cup of Hockey. Prior to the tournament, he stated he would bench any player protesting during the national anthem. The team did not advance past the group stage, losing all three games.

2017: Compensation for Canucks

In 2017, as compensation for hiring John Tortorella, the Vancouver Canucks received the 55th overall pick (used to select Jonah Gadjovich) in the NHL Entry Draft from the Blue Jackets.

January 10, 2019: 600th Victory

On January 10, 2019, John Tortorella became the first American-born coach, and 19th overall, to reach 600 victories when the Blue Jackets defeated the Nashville Predators.

2019: Return to Goaltender Rotation

In the 2019–20 NHL season, John Tortorella returned to his system of rotating goaltending duties with the Columbus Blue Jackets due to the emergence of Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzļikins as a goaltender tandem.

May 9, 2021: Leaves Blue Jackets

On May 9, 2021, John Tortorella mutually agreed to part ways with the Columbus Blue Jackets after the expiration of his contract.

2021: ESPN Analyst

In the 2021–22 season, John Tortorella worked as a studio analyst on ESPN.

June 17, 2022: Flyers Head Coach

On June 17, 2022, John Tortorella was named the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.

December 29, 2023: 1,500th NHL Game

On December 29, 2023, John Tortorella coached his 1,500th NHL regular season game, becoming the eighth head coach in NHL history, and the first American-born coach to reach the mark.

March 9, 2024: Ejection from game against Tampa Bay Lightning

On March 9, 2024, John Tortorella was ejected from a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning after a verbal dispute with referees Wes McCauley and Brandon Schrader. He delayed his departure, prolonging the altercation.

March 27, 2025: Relieved of coaching duties with Flyers

On March 27, 2025, John Tortorella was relieved of his coaching duties with the Flyers. Brad Shaw was named the interim head coach following the announcement.