John Tortorella became the latest NHL coach to receive a suspension for his actions during a game this weekend. In addition to being assessed a game misconduct and issued a $50,000 fine, the Flyers coach will now sit out the next two games for his actions during Saturday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Unsurprisingly, this is Tortorella’s fourth suspension, which includes a lengthy history of fines. Now, the League’s 10th-winningest coach of all time is the official leader of an exclusive club of bench bosses suspended by the NHL.
John Tortorella leads the list of notable NHL coaches suspended
John Tortorella (Philadelphia Flyers) Two Games – 2024
On Saturday, Mar. 9, Tortorella received a game misconduct during a game against the Lightning and refused to leave the bench. Subsequently, he was fined $50,000 and suspended for two games for unprofessional conduct directed at an official.
John Tortorella (Vancouver Canucks) 15 Days – 2014
In one of the most bizarre moments in NHL history, Tortorella, then coach of the Vancouver Canucks tried to get into the Calgary Flames dressing room during intermission. Upset at the lineup decisions by Flames head coach Bob Heatley, Tortorella tried to get past the players and confront his counterpart but was unsuccessful. CBC camera caught the whole incident on camera, and the Canucks coach was suspended for 15 days.
John Tortorella (New York Rangers) 1 Game – 2009 First-Round Stanley Cup Playoffs
On Apr. 25, 2009, during a first-round playoff series between the New York Rangers and the Washington Capitals, Tortorella squirted a fan with a water bottle at Madison Square Garden. Although the NHL investigation showed that the Rangers head coach started the incident, Tortorella tried to hit the player with a stick after getting a drink dumped on him. Ultimately, he received a one-game ban, while the Rangers would lose the series in Game 7.
Darryl Sutter (Calgary Flames) Two Games – 2004
On Mar. 20, 2004, Flames coach Darryl Sutter deployed Krzysztof Oliwa in the game’s final seconds after an empty-net goal, leading to the enforcer racking up 34 penalty minutes at the buzzer. In addition to the Flames receiving a $50,000 fine, Sutter was suspended for two games and Oliwa for three. Overall, Calgary ended the game with 107 penalty minutes in a 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators.
Herb Brooks (Pittsburgh Penguins) Two Games – 2000
Legendary Miracle on Ice head coach Herb Brooks was suspended in 2000 when he was coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. In an off-ice incident on Jan. 13, 2000, he approached John Kelly, the play-by-play announcer for the Colorado Avalanche, regarding comments about Penguins forward Matthew Barnaby faking an injury after a hit from Alexei Gusarov. Brooks and Gusarov were suspended for two games for their actions in the incident.
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Robbie Ftorek (New Jersey Devils) One Game – 2000
John Tortorella (Buffalo Sabres) Three Games – 1995
While Tortorella was an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres, he was involved in an incident involving a fan on Mar. 19, 1995, mocking head coach John Muckler. As a fan shouted at Muckler, Tortorella engaged in a physical altercation with the fan, forcing security to get involved. After an investigation, he received his first coaching suspension, three games.
Bryan Murray (Detroit Red Wings) 10 Games – 1993
On Jan. 23, 1993, Red Wings coach Bryan Murray was issued a 10-game ban when Jim Cummins left the penalty box to engage in a fight, which is against NHL rules. There were 118 penalty minutes in the 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues, with Cummins leading all players with 27.
Jim Schoenfield (New Jersey Devils) 1 Game – 1988 Prince of Wales Final
In one of the most unusual moments in NHL history, Devils coach Jim Schoenfield was suspended during the Price of Wales (Eastern Conference) Final in 1988 after insulting referee Don Koharski. Ultimately, the NHL officials assigned to skate in Game 3 opted not to participate, forcing the League to get inexperienced officials to call a Stanley Cup Playoff game. Schoenfield coached in Games 3 and 4 before sitting out Game 5.
Bryan Murray (Washington Capitals) Three Games – 1987
Following a 6-5 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 11, 1987, Washington Capitals coach Bryan Murray was suspended three games for an off-ice incident involving NHL linesperson Ron Asselstine. Because the investigation into the incident took several weeks, Murrary began his suspension on Nov. 3, 1987. Additionally, Asselstine was handed a three-game ban for his role in the altercation.
Brad Park (Detroit Red Wings) Six Games – 1986
On Jan. 13, 1986, Hall of Famer Brad Park, then coach of the Red Wings, was suspended six games for allowing his players to brawl with the Toronto Maple Leafs, resulting in a combined 296 penalty minutes. In one of the wildest moments in League history, 27 infractions, including 13 fighting majors, were recorded at 14:51 of the third period.
Pat Quinn (Los Angeles Kings) Seven Months – 1986
Hall of Famer Pat Quinn was coaching the Los Angeles Kings at the start of the 1986-87 season. However, he discovered a loophole in his contract that allowed him to sign on to become President and General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks at season’s end. NHL President John Ziegler suspended Quinn for the remainder of the regular season and extended his coaching ban until 1990-91 after he took over his new role in Vancouver in June 1987.
Harry Neale (Vancouver Canucks) 10 Games – 1982
In a game against the Nordiques In Quebec, Canucks coach Harry Neale was suspended for 10 games for getting into an altercation with a fan behind the bench. The game featured 109 penalty minutes, and Neale got involved with a fan trying to punch Tiger Williams in a scrum by the low-cut glass.
Don Perry (Los Angeles Kings) Six Games – 1982
Don Perry, the coach behind the epic Los Angeles Kings’ Miracle on Manchester playoff upset in 1982, was suspended six games in his first year as bench boss. During a game against the Canucks on Jan. 24, 1982, Perry sent Paul Mulvey out from the bench to join an on-ice altercation, only adding to the game’s 146 penalty minutes.
Jack Adams (Detroit Red Wings) Four Games – 1942 Stanley Cup Final
Only once in NHL history has a head coach been suspended in the Stanley Cup Final. In 1942, when the Maple Leafs became the first team to rally from a 3-0 deficit to win a series, Red Wings coach Jack Adams got into a physical altercation with an official, resulting in a four-game suspension. Since he was upset with how the officials had called the series, he punched one of them in Game 3, resulting in his ban for the remainder of the series.