NHL insider James Duthie recently shared a wild story of John Tortorella getting revenge on his own team to send a message. Tortorella is a polarizing figure in hockey but is respected for being straightforward with his players.
With that straightforwardness, Tortorella makes his true feelings known when he has an issue. During a recent appearance on Daily Faceoff’s Morning Cuppa Hockey, Duthie shared a story from Tortorella’s time with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The TSN host revealed that the story came from Brad Richards and included it in his book Beauties. The former Lightning center played under Tortorella and was a key contributor to their first Stanley Cup in 2004.
Duthie revealed that the former Lightning coach was disappointed with his team’s effort in the previous game. He requested that the players dress in their full gear before boarding the bus for their practice in New York. They were in for a surprise, as the bus traveled around the city for hours.
Tortorella said it was payback for wasting his time.
“‘Torts’ get on [the bus] and doesn’t say a word, and they start driving toward Chelsea Pier. But then they just start driving around Manhattan…for three hours. They drive and ‘Torts’ doesn’t say anything,” Duthie said.
He continued:
“Finally, they just come back to MSG. And I don’t know if ‘Torts’ actually said this at the time or later, but essentially he said, ‘You wasted three hours of my time last night, so I’m going to waste three hours of your time.”
James Duthie Once Opened Up About Working with John Tortorella
James Duthie once opened up about working with John Tortorella at TSN. The former NHL coach has plenty of experience working in media. He currently works as an analyst for ESPN and previously worked for TSN after his departure from the Lightning.
During his experience as a colleague, Duthie got to see another side of Tortorella. Although he was known for his outspoken nature as an NHL coach, the TSN host described ‘Torts’ as soft spoken.
Duthie noted that Tortorella was a pleasure to work with, which dismissed preconceived notions of his personality.
“[Tortorella] was a super nice guy, completely different than I think what people think from the rants that happened after the games,” Duthie said during a 2021 interview with VIBE 105.5FM Toronto. “I believe that the only reason he took the job at TSN was to show he wasn’t this raving lunatic that you see in post-game scrums. He wanted to show people that he could be a quiet, rational guy.”
Duthie Reveals One Thing Tortorella Disliked About Working in Media
Duthie also revealed that Tortorella disliked being on television while working at TSN.
Speaking with VIBE 105.5FM Toronto, Duthie recalled a conversation in which Tortorella expressed his love for his job and dislike of television.
“[Tortorella] says, ‘You know, I love this. I love every part of this, I love hanging around with you guys, talking hockey, eating pizza, I just wish I didn’t have to go on TV,” Duthie said.
He added:
“Whenever I text ‘Torts’ about something, whenever he responds, he always finishes the text with, ‘The Quiz sucks.’ So, it never leaves him.”
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