Rick Tocchet joins team Canada's coaching staff for the 4 Nations Face-Off
Photo credit: JASON PAYNE
Fresh off clinching the Jack Adams Trophy for the NHL's top head coach, Rick Tocchet has been selected to join Team Canada's coaching staff for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off.
Coach Tocch for Canada 🇨🇦
Congrats to Head Coach Rick Tocchet for being named an Assistant Coach for Canada in the 2025 NHL #4Nations Face-Off! 👏
Congrats to Head Coach Rick Tocchet for being named an Assistant Coach for Canada in the 2025 NHL #4Nations Face-Off! 👏
The tournament, set to take place from February 12-20 in Montreal and Boston, will see Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States compete in a round-robin format followed by a one-game final between the top two teams.
Tocchet, who recently learned of his selection from Team Canada's head coach Jon Cooper, expressed his honor at the opportunity.
«It was quite an honour,» said Tocchet when he heard from Jon Cooper that he was being considered for Canada's staff. «It's the same feeling coaching as it is playing for your country. There's obviously a lot of pride and the whole country will be backing us. I'll have to take the Vancouver jersey off and be honed in for Team Canada and help the players in whatever capacity.»
This will be Tocchet's debut as a coach for Team Canada, though he has previously represented his country on the ice. The former player won two Canada Cups (1987 & 1991) and participated in the 1990 World Championships in Switzerland. Looking back, Tocchet recalled the fierce competition of the 1987 Canada Cup.
«Back then, it wasn't just a hockey game. It was country against country,» said Tocchet about the 1987 Canada Cup. «The Russian team had been training together for years and years, and they were incredible. We really wanted to be the best and every single shift was so intense. I go back and watch it every once in a while, and if it was today's rules, there's like two or three penalties on every shift.»
The 4 Nations Face-Off will be a significant event for the sport, and Tocchet is eager for the challenge. He believes the tournament will showcase some of the best talent in hockey.
«It's exciting because you want the best players to go against the best players, and the fans want to see how it goes. The United States has great goaltending and defencemen, and Sweden and Finland are always dangerous in international competition. Any of these four teams can win this tournament. Just getting this number of world-class players together for a tournament is incredible,» said Tocchet.
At the end of June, the NHL announced six players from each participating country. Quinn Hughes is the sole Canuck selected for the 4 Nations team, representing the United States.
This summer, Tocchet has been actively engaged, including gaining valuable insights from the New York Jets' training camp. «I spent time with Jets' Head Coach Robert Saleh and his coaching staff,» Tocchet revealed. He is now getting ready for the upcoming Canucks training camp while also preparing for the 4 Nations tournament.
The 4 Nations Face-Off will see Canada play Sweden on February 12th, the USA on February 15th, and Finland on February 17th, culminating in the Championship Game on February 20th at TD Garden in Boston. The tournament will follow NHL rules, with points assigned according to game results and overtime procedures differing from standard NHL practices.
Source: Vancouver Canucks
Rick Tocchet Named to Canada's Coaching Staff for 4 Nations Face-Off
Rick Tocchet Named to Canada's Coaching Staff for 4 Nations Face-Off
| POLL | ||
31 JUILLET | 104 ANSWERS Rick Tocchet joins team Canada's coaching staff for the 4 Nations Face-Off Will Rick Tocchet and team Canada win the 4 Nations Face-off? | ||
| Yes | 82 | 78.8 % |
| No | 22 | 21.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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