Rick Tocchet left memorable impression on Arizona Coyotes

When former Coyotes star Jeremy Roenick used to tuck himself in his teammates’ lockers and jump out when they opened them, players either screamed or slammed the door and took off.

Except for Rick Tocchet.

“He slugged me right in the head,” Roenick said.

Roenick never attempted the ruse on Tocchet again.

“He’s not afraid of anything, and he’s going to fight back no matter what,” Roenick said. “I made the wrong decision at the wrong time, but it was the funniest thing ever because that’s Toch to a T.”

Tocchet’s full-bore personality was first introduced to the Coyotes as a player in the late ’90s when he skated as a skilled yet rugged scorer. He returned as an assistant in 2005, working alongside Wayne Gretzky early in his coaching career. Now he’s back as head coach after signing a four-year contract Tuesday – arriving with the reputation of a smart communicator ready to implement an up-tempo style and deserving of the opportunity to manage his own team.

And the impression he left on his peers when he was a player and assistant with the Coyotes helps explain why.

“It’s the best hire that the Coyotes could have done,” Roenick said.

Playing days

Tocchet played for the Coyotes from 1997-2000, emerging as one of the franchise’s most memorable faces for his entertaining on-ice persona. He was versatile and well-rounded, pumping the net with goals and dropping the gloves for a fight.

Not many have been able to match talent with grit, but it was Tocchet’s calling card. 

He was a pro focused on the job, and that meant focused on winning. A relentless work ethic fueled him. He was intense, competitive and took pride in his play.

“When the game’s on the line, he had that second or third effort, dug deep and found a way to contribute,” former Coyotes captain Keith Tkachuk said. “He had really good hands, and he paid the price. He played a hard style. He’d do whatever it took to win.”

Tocchet was also a leader and a Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins in 1992. When he talked, those around him listened. And he wasn’t afraid to say if someone was playing well or poorly.

He and Tkachuk talked endlessly about Tkachuk’s role as captain, Roenick said, and how to set the tone.

“He was the glue behind everything,” Roenick said. “Keith Tkachuk was the captain but when Rick Tocchet spoke, he was the guy. He protected the star players. He made sure that everybody was doing the right thing on and off the ice.”

And he appreciated those who helped him, from the worker who cleaned the ice to the training staff.

“If you were in his presence, you were going to get a smile,” Roenick said. “He was going to make sure you knew he appreciated you.” 

Behind the bench

Those around him could anticipate Tocchet would venture into coaching based on his passion for the game, and he rejoined the Coyotes in 2005 as an assistant.

“Toch was always no-nonsense,” said former Coyotes assistant Barry Smith, who’s now the director of player evaluation for the Blackhawks. “Very professional. Expected everybody to put out their most.”

He asked questions, trying to improve as a coach, and while that intensity that defined his playing career was still there, he expressed it through his focus.

“He didn’t walk around slamming stuff,” said Jeff Holbrook, who was the Coyotes’ executive vice president and chief communicators officer from 2006-2010. “He wanted to win, and he wanted to find the best ways to win.”

Tocchet wanted to work with young players, examine X’s and O’s and was a student of the game. There was a sense he’d want to run his own team one day, and he began to learn how to interact with each player individually.

“Some guys need to be screamed at,” said Holbrook, who’s now the managing partner of Potentia Athletic Partners. “Some guys need to be coddled. Some guys need to have their confidence lifted, etcetera, and he got really good at finding what each guy’s thing was.”

He’d been through life as a player and had worked for his success, a track record that was hard to miss when he walked in a room and merited respect. But he didn’t act like he was better than anybody else. He was easy to talk to, said former Coyotes coach and current Lightning associate coach Rick Bowness, and Tocchet was funny and friendly, getting to know everyone who was around him.

“He terrified people when he played,” Holbrook said. “He did. He was scary. He ran around and smoked guys and would fight anybody. He was tough and all that stuff. When you meet him as a human, while the intensity’s still there, he’s just an awesome guy – the kind of guy you want to hang out with. He’s the kind of guy when you’re with him and whatever you’re doing is over, you still wish you could hang with him.” 

New chapter

Tocchet’s friends and colleagues feel the hockey lifer is ready for the challenge of sparking a rebuilding team to competitiveness.

That part of his legacy with the Coyotes has yet to be decided, but he seems to have a strong base to build off of based on what he’s accomplished with the organization so far.

“He’s a perfect fit for what they’re doing in Arizona,” Bowness said. “He was absolutely the right choice.”

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.