(Boston) Jay Feaster still laughs when he tells the story.
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
It was in Boston 15 or 20 years ago, when he was general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, with John Tortorella as head coach.
The evening hadn’t gone well, and Tortorella was in as bad a mood as you can imagine.
“After the game, we get on the bus and leave. The team’s public relations officer goes to see Torts and asks him: ‘Have you talked to your brother a bit? He said, ‘No! I look at him: ‘Come on Torts, it’s your brother! He said, ‘It’s okay, he’ll understand. » »
The brother in question is Jim Tortorella, assistant coach at Harvard University. He obviously doesn’t have the notoriety of his big brother, but he’s a fascinating man. We will come back to it.
But THE killer question: does he have such an explosive temper as “Torts”? We first inquire with Quebecer Marshall Rifai, defender for the Harvard Crimson, met last week at the Beanpot, a Boston tournament between the universities of the place. He smiles.
“You know, they were raised in the same house! »
We then turn to Brett Pesce, a Carolina Hurricanes defenseman who played under Jim Tortorella at the University of New Hampshire from 2012 to 2014. Like Rifai, Pesce also doesn’t know John Tortorella personally, but he grew up in the New York area back when the feuds between “Torts” and journalist Larry Brooks were rife on television.
“I was a big Rangers fan, I know Torts’ reputation, we all know it. But basically, it’s because he has the good of his players at heart. Jim can be like that too. It is intense, but it has the merit of being clear. »
Enough beating around the bush: ask the two brothers directly. First, to John.
“I am an emotional coach and I don’t hide it. I think Jimmy is just as emotional and intense as me, but has much better control. He is intense, but he exudes calm, ”analyzes the former Lightning, Rangers, Canucks and Blue Jackets pilot.
Then, to Jim. “We are the products of our upbringing. Our father always taught us to tell the truth, to be honest, to make sure no one questions our loyalty or our hard work, he describes.
“The difference between Johnny and me is that he has microphones in front of him and people remember what they want when he speaks. I don’t live in this aquarium. We received the same education, but we work in different contexts.
“But Johnny would give his shirt to anyone. Those who have worked closely with him all say he is the best coach they have had. When he tells you to fuck off, that’s what he thinks at the time, but if you’re in distress on the side of the road, he’ll stop to help you. »
An eloquent track record
Go for personalities. But on the career side, their paths are poles apart.
John Tortorella has spent his entire coaching career in the professional ranks, initially through his connection to Rick Dudley. Jim has always coached in the high school and university ranks, never in the pros, but he quietly built up an excellent reputation as a teacher.
A few years ago he was thinking about turning professional and I said to him, “Jimmy, be prepared to move often.” I have lost count of the moves my family has made to follow me. I think he was more interested in stability.
John Tortorella on his brother Jim
But the fruits of his labor are clearly visible in the NHL. In his role as an assistant, Jim Tortorella has always cared for defensemen, and in his six full seasons in NCAA Division I, he has crossed paths with five defensemen who are now established in the NHL. It is :
– Adam Fox: Norris Trophy winner last year, the New York Rangers defender played three seasons at Harvard, the last of which (2018-2019) under Tortorella;
– Brett Pesce: second defenseman for the Carolina Hurricanes, he worked alongside Tortorella in his first two seasons (2012 to 2014) at the University of New Hampshire;
– John Marino: like Fox, this Pittsburgh Penguins fullback played from 2016 to 2019 at Harvard and met Tortorella there in his last season;
– Trevor van Riemsdyk: one of host Alain Crête’s favorite players, the Washington Capitals defender spent his entire internship in New Hampshire under Tortorella, from 2011 to 2014;
– Jacob Bryson: this Buffalo Sabers defender played one season (2016-2017) under Tortorella at Providence College.
Note that none of his defenders was a top draft pick, Pesce and Fox (66and each) being the earliest choices. Our man, however, wishes to dispel any ambiguity when discussing his “winners”.
“I want to be very clear: these guys were going to the National League even though I hadn’t been there. On the other hand, I believe I have given them tools for them to experience even more success, for example for mental preparation and work habits. »
What kind of tools? “It was mainly to show them how to self-assess. How do you watch video, how do you rate yourself? It’s hard for them because wherever they played they were the best. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Jim Tortorella (in blue shirt) behind the Harvard Crimson bench
Tortorella is also not shy about using statistical analysis to assess his players. He first names breakouts in control of the puck, then one-on-one battles. “Are you going out with the puck, are you preventing the next play from happening? Blocked shots, for and against. Are your shots going to the net?
“Instead of looking at pluses and minuses, I assess what a player’s actual role is on a goal scored or allowed, and whether he played a primary or secondary role. For example, if an attacker loses the puck in the neutral zone, but the defender gave him a bad pass…”
An outstanding coach
At the end of the line, Brett Pesce is categorical. “It’s probably the coach who taught me the most, who showed me the best how to play the right way in defense,” said the man who has played an average of 22 minutes per game for 3 years.
“He showed me how to play in the defensive zone,” continues Pesce. How to use my stick to intercept pucks, how to be in good position. I’ve done tons of videos with him. I came to school at 17 and he took me under his wing. »
Quebecer Marshall Rifai arrived at Harvard at the same time as Tortorella, in 2018. “He had a big influence on me, especially with the work we did on video. He is very perfectionist. He knows what it takes to win and molds his players that way, ”he describes.
Never drafted, Rifai hopes to make the jump to the professionals next season. If he succeeds, we guess he will owe one to his trainer.
“He was unbearable! »
PHOTO RONALD MARTINEZ, GETTY ARCHIVES/AFP
John Tortorella
Total Transparency: John Tortorella politely declined our interview request at first, until we told him we wanted to talk to him about his brother. “For Jimmy, I always have time!” As the conversation progressed, it ended up being Martin St-Louis, his former protege. “I coached him for 6 years, he was unbearable (“a pain in the ass”), and I say it with love! He always thinks differently. Even if we do something good, he always wonders if there is a way to do better. Tortorella also touched on the new Canadiens driver in another response about his brother. “Jimmy, like Martin, has quite the hockey mind. Both know a lot more than average, but they have that knack for knowing how much information to give their players, without overwhelming them. »