Rick Tocchet receives rough reception from Rogers Arena faithful during return to Vancouver
Former Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet received a rough reception from the Rogers Arena faithful during his return to Vancouver on Tuesday night.
The Vancouver Canucks were back in action on Tuesday as they wrapped up 2025 on home ice against the Philadelphia Flyers who are led by their former Head Coach, Rick Tocchet.
After being made a healthy scratch on Monday in Seattle, Jake DeBrusk and David Kampf returned to the lineup last night as Adam Foote looked to finish off the year with a bang, but unfortunately things didn't go in their favour as Tocchet's Flyers rode a three-goal third period to a 6-3 victory.
During the first period, Rick Tocchet was welcomed back to Rogers Arena, a place he was quite familiar with after spending two and a half seasons behind the bench for the Canucks, but the fans weren't too happy to see him return.
Ex-Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet receives rough reception from Rogers Arena crowd
With close to nine minutes remaining in the opening frame, the camera panned to Rick Tocchet on the Flyers bench, with PA announcer Al Murdoch officially welcoming the bench boss back to Vancouver and there was a bit of a mixed reception.
While some can be seen clapping, most videos posted to social media, such as the two below from X users @IanDSeggie and @canuckshistoryx, there were plenty of boos for the 61-year-old.
"Not a very enthused crowd for Rick." @IanDSeggie said.
Before the game, Rick Tocchet spoke about his return to Vancouver and had nothing but good things to say about the team, the organization, the fans and the city.
"I was only here two and a half years, but it was a lot of fun. And it's a great place to live and coach. It really is." Tocchet said.
He added, "They show up I mean, I remember in the playoffs, them chanting people's names. I haven't really heard that much in other buildings. You know that's a passionate fan base when they're screaming guys names out. That was impressive to me. Great fans. I mean, we just went to the second round, we lost in seven, and there's a party on the streets. There's like 50,000 people in Surrey (partying in the streets.) That's how starved they are and what they'll do to support a winner,» he said. »So how can you not love a fan base like that?"
He added, "They show up I mean, I remember in the playoffs, them chanting people's names. I haven't really heard that much in other buildings. You know that's a passionate fan base when they're screaming guys names out. That was impressive to me. Great fans. I mean, we just went to the second round, we lost in seven, and there's a party on the streets. There's like 50,000 people in Surrey (partying in the streets.) That's how starved they are and what they'll do to support a winner,» he said. »So how can you not love a fan base like that?"
With the win, Rick Tocchet and the Philadelphia Flyers climb into third in the Metropolitan Division and will finish 2025 in a playoff position, something that seemed unthinkable at the beginning of the season.
Meanwhile for the Vancouver Canucks, who are back in action on Friday night against the Seattle Kraken, their loss drops them to 15th in the Western Conference with a 16-20-3 record through 39 games.
Previously on Vancouver Hockey Daily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 31|1782 ANSWERS Rick Tocchet receives rough reception from Rogers Arena faithful during return to Vancouver Are you surprised fans booed Rick Tocchet during his return to Vancouver? | ||
| Yes | 448 | 25.1 % |
| No | 1334 | 74.9 % |
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