Tocchet putting Coyotes on fast track as coach

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Coyotes introduced coach Rick Tocchet and president Steve Patterson at Gila River Arena on Thursday.
Patterson was presented, in traditional style, with a new Coyotes jersey showing No. 17 on the back.
When Tocchet was invited to the podium, owner Andy Barroway pulled out a nearly 20-year-old, kachina-style, No. 22 Phoenix Coyotes jersey that longtime equipment man Stan Wilson had stored away, just in case.
"No wonder I couldn't skate then. These things were so heavy," Tocchet said.

It's a new era for the Coyotes, who reached back into their heyday of 20 years in the desert and hired Tocchet on Tuesday. But he said up front his coaching style isn't the same as the rough-and-tumble persona that was part of a short but memorable stretch with the Coyotes from 1997-99.

Tocchet won the Stanley Cup as a player and as an assistant, most recently back-to-back on Mike Sullivan's staff with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Coyotes haven't made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in five seasons and had the third-worst record in the NHL last season, but Tocchet said he remembers a time when they were striving for a championship, something he's determined to revive as coach.
"We had a good, smart, competitive team that played a fast style and that's what this fan base wants," Tocchet said. "We had offensive players with skill and the fans really connected. When we played downtown (at America West Arena) and the building was electric, we had a good advantage."
Tocchet, who is replacing Dave Tippett, said he always planned to retire in Arizona.
"This is an underrated hockey market," the 53-year-old said. "I've seen a lot of old friends from when I used to live here and they are starving for a winner. Then you take the commitment by the new front office and ownership to a new start … you mix all that in together and it was an easy choice for me to come back."

Barroway grew up watching Tocchet play for his hometown Philadelphia Flyers and said he jumped at the opportunity to hire him.
"In my mind, he's a Philly guy like me: a scrapper," said Barroway, who became the Coyotes' sole owner last month. "Philly people have attitudes with a natural chip on our shoulder. I like his intensity and the fact that he's beloved, by the communities where he's played and by his players (as a coach). They all want to play for Tocc."
With so many young players, don't expect to see a fiery Tocchet too often, at least behind the bench.
"I'm not going to be a yeller and a screamer. I know a lot of people think I will be walking with a big stick and hitting guys with it," he said with smile. "There will be the odd time you have to blast guys, but I want to be a communicator and a teacher.
"Our roster is filled with people who will be feeling their way. There are going to be mistakes made. And when it happens, I'm going to put that guy back out there and not sit him on the bench. In the long run, that's the approach you have to have. I think the fans will understand."
Lead photo taken by Norm Hall/Arizona Coyotes