Thrashers name Torchetti associate head coach
John Torchetti, who was a candidate for the Thrashers head coach position, was named associate head coach on Thursday. He will serve under Craig Ramsay, who was hired to coach the Thrashers last month.
Torchetti, 45, served as an assistant coach with Chicago the past three seasons, including helping the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup championship this season.
Torchetti joins a list of four former Blackhawks players obtained by the Thrashers this offseason. Torchetti and Thrashers general manager Rick Dudley worked together in Chicago, Florida and Tampa Bay.
“I’ve known John for several years and he is a highly-talented and extremely knowledgeable individual,” Dudley said in a statement. “He is an excellent coach who will strengthen Craig’s staff and we’re fortunate to have him as part of our organization.”
A Boston native, Torchetti was an assistant in Chicago (2007-10), Los Angeles (2005-06), Florida (2002-04) and Tampa Bay (1999-2001). He served as interim head coach for the Panthers (10-12-4-1) and Kings (5-7-0).
“John is a dedicated individual who will be an invaluable resource to me and a significant asset for our players,” Ramsay said in a statement. “His strengths compliment mine and match up well with what we will be striving to accomplish.”
Torchetti’s coaching career also included several stops in the minor leagues. He played professionally for seven minor-league seasons.
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87 comments Add your comment
Sage of Bluesland
July 8th, 2010
3:10 pm
First!!
Thrash On Way Up!
July 8th, 2010
3:14 pm
Baby steps, but steps in the right direction….GO THRASHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BW
July 8th, 2010
3:14 pm
Just get the guys to play actual defense and not allow the goalkeeps to see 30+ shots a night and we’re back in the playoffs…the team is coming together…now if ASG would sell
Get The Puck Out
July 8th, 2010
3:16 pm
EXCELLENT!!!
Alan R.
July 8th, 2010
3:19 pm
It’s about time! Woohoo!
Tokyo Tom
July 8th, 2010
3:20 pm
First!! In the NL East, that is.
Duds has not been shy in remaking the Thrashers. Can’t tell if these moves are a foundation of the future or rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic but- at least moves are being made. It wasn’t that long ago (maybe three or four seasons) that the Blackhawks had the worst record in the league. It looks like there may be some life left in the Thrashers after all!
Russian
July 8th, 2010
3:21 pm
Good move! Dudley Rules.
hip czech
July 8th, 2010
3:22 pm
How often does a team hire both of it’s two top choices for an open head coach position? I assume Torchetti will be groomed to replace Ramsey at some point.
Coaching staff seems to be taking shape nicely (goalie coach?)….the roster seems to be improved (and I don’t think Dudley’s done yet)…things have looked this optimistic since ‘06-’07.
R. Stroz
July 8th, 2010
3:24 pm
Go Thrashawks!
kracker
July 8th, 2010
3:25 pm
Ben says Torch is here in Duluth. Perhaps he can get in to see the prospects today. Ben says they hit the ice at the DIF at 4:15.
kracker
July 8th, 2010
3:29 pm
Oh, and welcome John Torchetti!
GaVaHokie
July 8th, 2010
3:35 pm
Awesome!
Oh, and my wife’s water just broke. Little Miss Hokie is on the way.
Flagstaff
July 8th, 2010
3:38 pm
GaVa– so the natural first thing to do is check the Thrashers news, right? Congratulations!
Thumbs up on the signing. Forget just being a ‘Natural Man’, Dudley is turning out to be a natural GM!
Sherry Taylor
July 8th, 2010
3:39 pm
We really are going to be the Thrashawks.
Brendan
July 8th, 2010
3:46 pm
Even Jeff Schultz would say that emulating the Stanley Cup Champions is a good idea. Welcome Torchetti. This has been a fun offseason. Eager, Ladd, Sopel, Ramsay, Torchetti, Chris Mason, and Big Buff! We’re still $10 million under the cap, however. And Eager, Pavelec, Bergfors, and Ladd are still un-signed. So, there’s still plenty of work to do.
Barry
July 8th, 2010
3:49 pm
Awesome signing. So what is the difference between Associate and Assistant?
KLS1
July 8th, 2010
3:52 pm
I don’t know how considering our history but the expectations are getting high for the Thrashers. The southeast will be tough, this team better be built to compete from the start of the season.
Based on the moves so far I believe that they will be.
Telfo
July 8th, 2010
3:52 pm
Associate is considered a “promotion”. I assume thats how we got him out of Chicago. Teams dont usually let guys go to take the same position
KLS1
July 8th, 2010
4:04 pm
“Associate Head Coach” is code for “the head coach has a short leash”.
joedaiceman
July 8th, 2010
4:07 pm
Love the Torchetti move, still way confused about the core of our team. Hopefully Duds can put an identity on this team that Thrasher fans can understand and that will service us well in 10/11.
Hockey Steve
July 8th, 2010
4:09 pm
sweeeeeeeet!!!!
Hockey Biltong
July 8th, 2010
4:11 pm
$$$$$$$$$.
WM
July 8th, 2010
4:17 pm
Makes sense. Certainly add a layer of familiarity for some of the new players. Got a question. How many think Duds looks like Burt Reynold’s long lost twin? Maybe we could have a Burt Reynolds night where he comes in via a ‘78 Trans Am and drops the puck.
The Real Thrash
July 8th, 2010
4:19 pm
Brendan Couldn’t agree more.
There is still a lot to do. But good move.
Brendan
July 8th, 2010
4:23 pm
Associate Coach is a promotion from Assistant Coach. Each head coach usually has a few assistant coaches. But an associate coach is above the assistant coaches, and serves as the right-hand man of the Head Coach. In the case of Ramsay, I think there’s understanding that should Craig falter or become incapacitated in some way, that Torchetti is to step in and assume control. And not, GM Dudley or worse, President Waddell. Did I really just say, “President Waddell.” God, that sounds awful.
Brendan
July 8th, 2010
4:23 pm
Come to think of it, I believe Dudley was an “Associate” GM under Waddell.
jack
July 8th, 2010
4:24 pm
Thats awesome news and welcome Toch.
Chris any news on goalie coach or free agency movement?
Smoothie
July 8th, 2010
4:24 pm
Congrats to John Torchetti and GaVaHokie…but get to the damn hospital and stop reading the paper!!
Bout damn time Torchetti got his money!! This is a great day for the Thrashers franchise as we got BOTH of our coveted coaches! Next is Steve Ludzik and either Clint Malarchuk or Kevin Weekes to round out the coaching fold.
FormerIslesFan
July 8th, 2010
4:33 pm
Way to go Thrashers…but more importantly, Congrats Hokie!!! Good day for this blog, eh?
For The Record
July 8th, 2010
4:38 pm
Just read the news and it’s AWESOME!! Dudley is a fast mover and has literally transformed this team from top to bottom in a matter of weeks. Can’t wait for the next great piece of Thrasher news! Keep ‘em coming Duds…
Richham
July 8th, 2010
4:46 pm
Is it just me but does anyone else find Kovy’s free agent flopping funny?
I mean the Thrashers offered him around or over $100 million and he laughed at it.
Now it looks like his top offer from a decent team is 6 years and around $60 million. Even the russian leagues where he would be a star only offered 4 years and $36 million.
The islanders offered him a ton of money, but they are even worse than the Thrashers!!!
You think his agent would have told him either you want to win and take considerably less money to play for a good team or you take a ton of money to play for the Thrashers or the Islanders, but you can’t have both. I just thought it was funny watching the SWARM of only two teams bid for his services.
Thomas Magnum
July 8th, 2010
4:50 pm
Helllllllllllllllllllssssssssssss yeahhhhhh
WM
July 8th, 2010
4:51 pm
Richham-
Kovy wants an Ovie type contract. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when Grossman is on the phone. I don’t think the hang up is all money. I wouldn’t doubt if its the details, ie. NTC, NMC, performance bonuses, length. But back to the Birds, I like the hire. Anyonw hear of anything regarding Max? Is he KHL bound like Nabokov?
The Real Thrash
July 8th, 2010
4:56 pm
Can’t win it in July.
Sara
July 8th, 2010
5:01 pm
Like the coaching hire – really looking forward to camp and the new season.
Hokie – best wishes to mama – good luck to all three of you!
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
July 8th, 2010
5:37 pm
……And Sage is very, very quiet…..
jack
July 8th, 2010
5:43 pm
so is Flames
Maybe something elseis coming down the pipe
Tony C.
July 8th, 2010
5:45 pm
Congrats Hokie!!!
Flames
July 8th, 2010
5:57 pm
Congrats-Hokie! This is an awesome day. We now have the coach of the future. Ramsey is 63 and when he finally hangs up his whistle John will be ready to take over. I think this move will help get another FA. How about Madden?
James
July 8th, 2010
5:59 pm
The Thrashers need to sign Ilya Kovalchuk back he’s a free agent.
Barry
July 8th, 2010
6:02 pm
So how many more coaches do we still need? I know we need a goalie coach. Do we need any assistants or does Ramsay, John, Barry, (goalie coach)________ all this team really needs?
Smoothie
July 8th, 2010
6:07 pm
Flames – if Madden wants to come here with Torch, I’d love to have him for a 1-year deal as long as it’s less than $1.5 M. Don’t want to overpay for a guy, although a very experienced guy with intangibles, who would play 4th line C. I reckon he could play 3rd line with Slates moving over to play LW and Laddy playing RW. That line could work, but I think I’d rather have Jimmah’s speed at the pivot.
$2.2 M for Poni and $1.3 M for Madden to play 4th C. There’s your roster and a cap hit of right around $50 M after the RFA’s are done.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
July 8th, 2010
6:09 pm
I thought Ramsay was about 60?
Buzzeng
July 8th, 2010
6:14 pm
It’s good when a plan comes together. Go Thrashers!
Good luck to all GVH!
Sage of Bluesland
July 8th, 2010
6:22 pm
breaking news:ilya kovalchuck and the thrashers agree to deal
TrueBlue
July 8th, 2010
6:26 pm
Lame.
Sage of Bluesland
July 8th, 2010
6:28 pm
Update: Atlanta Thrashers trade Ilya Kovalchuk to Russian Olympic Figure Skating Team for Evgeni Plushenko and an additional ice dancer to be named later.
Flames
July 8th, 2010
6:31 pm
Just know that Torch and Madden are close friends. Not sure if it could be done. I know that Max’s agent has made contact with the team. I would rather trade for Carter or Gagne. I knew something was up yesterday with John. ASG coughed up the money to make this happen. You have to tip your hat to them for this.
jack
July 8th, 2010
6:32 pm
RUT RORGE. No Kovy please. We prefer players that play defense.
jack
July 8th, 2010
6:34 pm
Thanks flames would be curious what Torch will be receiving and for how long. the others would be great but Gagne has a no trade clause, correct?
Not Blind
July 8th, 2010
6:45 pm
Not Gagne. Not physical enough for where this team is headed. Chicago gave Gagne and Briere a free pass in the SCF’s.
Stat Man
July 8th, 2010
6:55 pm
How sweet would it be now if Kovy signs back in Russia. It’s either that or the Devils (for only slightly over HALF of what the Thrashers offered).
For those of you that bashed the Hawks for paying Johnson that much, it would have had the same negative effect for the Thrashers – there’s no way they would be able to do any of these moves to improve the team if 55% of the teams salary was going to one player!
Flames
July 8th, 2010
7:06 pm
Jack-Gagne hasn’t waived his no trade clause. The flyers are still trying. We are going to have one heck of a hockey team. Just need to get the RFA signed now. Cormier is the real deal. He will be given every chance to make the team. Hokie please keep us updated on the new addition.
jack
July 8th, 2010
7:09 pm
Thnaks flames
Don (Not That One)
July 8th, 2010
7:17 pm
Usually Associates have been head coaches before, or many people think they are potential head coaches in a few years. A team will have 2 or 3 assistants, but only 1 (if any) associate head coach.
Next up, goaltender coach/consultant. I think Dudley has one in mind, so it will probably be finalized in a week or two.
Smoothie
July 8th, 2010
7:43 pm
Thanks Flames, all things equal, I think I’d rather have Max for a year or two than an aging Madden. No offense to Madden, but I think we can cobble together an effective PK. We must count on some younger guys and hold-overs like Peverley and Kane. Everyone is doubting our offense and Max would certainly give us that dimension of dynamic scoring chances. Give him Antro and a responsible hard-working player like Kane on his line and it might just work.
Kane-Antro-Max // Bergie-Pevs-Buff // Slates-Cormier-Ladd // Eager & Boults-Thorbs-Macho
Just need to figure out a way to shed some salary by trading White and / or MacArthur.
Sage of Bluesland
July 8th, 2010
7:44 pm
I’m sure you’ll excuse the ‘tard who is so pathetic that they have to use others’ names (I actually think it’s one of the regulars who has a pitiful life)…but, like I’ve said earlier, I’ll hold off on the parade tickets just yet….
I’ve heard enough of “Five Year Plans” to choke, so I’m in a full wait-and-see mode and will politely refuse any of the sheep-aid.
We’ll see. I hope I’m wrong–but the rot starts at the very top…
Lee
July 8th, 2010
7:53 pm
Torch and Ram seem like a nice pair….
Flames
July 8th, 2010
7:53 pm
Pirates fan-Im sorry Coach Ramsey is 59 yrs old. What I was trying to say was that when Coach Ramsey turns 63 it will be about time for John to take the reins. This shows stability in the coaching staff.
Mutant League Hockey
July 8th, 2010
7:59 pm
ESPN reporters just joked that “Ilya Kovalchuk still has not signed … perhaps he’ll sign with the Nets.”
Ouch.
Sage of Bluesland
July 8th, 2010
8:01 pm
The real Sage is back! We were just keeping it warm for you, princess!
Yes, there’s more than one imposter. Many more.
Jack
July 8th, 2010
8:01 pm
Coach Ramsey will be 60 when we win the stanley cup.
Flames
July 8th, 2010
8:02 pm
Smoothie-I want Max back as well. I hope this can happen. I heard that Max wants a three year deal. I don’t think the team will offer that. I think two years is as high as we will go. You never know. Keep your fingers crossed.
THRASH
July 8th, 2010
8:09 pm
wee ned a scorer namely MAXIE
Smoothie
July 8th, 2010
8:15 pm
Flames – I hear that! Fingers duly crossed. I know he leaves something to be desired on the defensive end sometimes, but it’s usually because he’s so lethal on the break-out and he usually makes up for it in chances. It’s just that inability to finish consistently. Anyway, I don’t think his horrible +/- was completely a function of his poor play, just some bad luck coupled with oft-changing line-mates and line-mates who didn’t gel with him. We shall see. If not Max, then Poni?
Flames
July 8th, 2010
8:43 pm
Smoothie-We think a lot alike
Joe Friday
July 8th, 2010
9:29 pm
Great news! Congrats Hokie, another sweet soul enters, you at the Baby Factory?
Great news on Torchetti as well, I really really like this move.
World Be Free
July 8th, 2010
9:50 pm
Moving in the right direction, that’s for sure. But there is still more work to be done. I like with Tronna did signing Lebda for defensive depth. I think we need to do the same OR, as Smoothie noted, Max or Poni. The Thrashers are getting closer, but we are not there yet.
Congrats Hokie, to you and your family.
R. Stroz
July 8th, 2010
10:12 pm
Congrats GaVaHockie and Mrs. GaVaHockie…I’m sure you’ll be raising your child to be a big UGA and NASCAR fan.
So, what’s the new Hockie’s name?
Winston Wolf
July 8th, 2010
11:12 pm
Meaning of ‘Associate’ coach? Who knows? Hockey just likes to be different. Hockey players wear sweaters and not jerseys. The guys with the ‘A’ on their sweaters are Alternate Captains not Assistant Captains. Hockey players don’t talk about their team or club, but refer to ‘the Organ-I-zation’.
Brendan
July 9th, 2010
12:17 am
Congrats to the newest Hokie. Try to sleep when you can, GaVaHokie. Sleep will be at a premium now. You’ll never be anywhere in 20 minutes again. But it’s the greatest joy in the world. When a friend or family member has a child, I try to buy up a few copies of the local paper and USAToday. Laminate it. Then give it to the child on their 18th birthday, so they can laugh at the Headlines, and price of things, waaaaaaay back in 2010, when they were born. That child might ask, “What’s a VCR?”
Torchetti to Thrashers - Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (blog)
July 9th, 2010
12:19 am
[...] Associate CoachNHL.comThrashers name Torchetti associate head coachAtlanta Journal ConstitutionThrashers name Torchetti associate head coachAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)The Canadian Press -Chicago Breaking Sports – Tribune [...]
Brendan
July 9th, 2010
12:44 am
Kovalchuk is still not signed, and it’s July 8th. I’m going to start calling him Ilya “Bret Favre” Kovalchuk. Wouldn’t it just be delicious if Ilya wound up firing Jay Grossman? So, in essence, Grossman gets NOTHING after all his machinations, delays, and demands on GM’s. What if all his grand designs … result in a pink slip?
Admit it, whereever you are or might happen to be … when it’s announced that Ilya fired his agent, you’d stand on top of your desk and clap, no matter WHO’s watching. Folks, if Ilya Kovalchuk wants to play in Los Angeles, but Jay Grossman can’t put him there, Ilya has the right to fire him. UFA’s, in the end, play where they want to be. If that’s where he wants to be, he’ll have to compromise on price. And he’d keep a lot more of his money, if like Ovechkin, he negotiated his own deal.
I’m sorry, but I have no sympathy for the Jay Grossmans of the world. I understand that they’ve got a job to do, and they’re just trying to do that job as best they can. But just like when you were a kid in school, if your pricipal tripped walking up the stairs on assembly day, you both laughed and cheered. If the pompous, blow dried blowhard on the evening news thinks the capital of Sweden is Helsinki, you’re happy to watch him eat crow.
Pittsburgh Pirate Fan
July 9th, 2010
7:18 am
Sage, you are one of the most attention starved people I have ever known.
GaVaHokie
July 9th, 2010
8:55 am
Thanks for the well wishes… mom is doing well… still in labor. Just got the epidural, so she’s trying to sleep. My chance to read hockey news.
Flagstaff… I was reading this article about to comment when I got the call from the wife.
Brendan… today’s headlines I’m guessing is BP and Lebron James. Haven’t seen the paper yet.
sawweeet
July 9th, 2010
9:11 am
Like the move! I’m getting excited for the upcomming season!!
R. Stroz
July 9th, 2010
11:28 am
today’s headlines I’m guessing is BP and Lebron James.
So today’s headline is a Slime Alert in Florida
Brendan
July 9th, 2010
12:42 pm
It’s worth doing. At least one copy of the AJC and one USAToday. You’ll look back on it 20 years from now and laugh. “Oh yeah, it was Bobby Cox’s last year with the Braves. LeBron had his own 1-hour long ESPN show about his new contract. The Thrashers hired Torchetti. President Obama was looking for more corp executives to put on the unemployment line. Etc.”
World Be Free
July 9th, 2010
12:51 pm
We need to start asking Dudley what his next player move will be, Max, Poni or let one of the youngsters take the final roster spot? Is the team set? Let’s get back to getting more players here that can build the type of depth that helped Philly get to the finals. Character players at the end of the lineup who will sit, wait and contribute when called upon.
How about Arty?
Brendan
July 9th, 2010
2:05 pm
WBF, now that Torchetti and Ramsay have been named, I would have thought that a press conference would have been held to announce our “strategy” moving forward. Brian Burke announced his, the moment he was hired, at his Press Conference. No fuss, no muss.
Lee
July 9th, 2010
2:34 pm
Chris – Is it true that the Devils have offered him 60 mil. for 4 years??
sc
July 9th, 2010
2:38 pm
Sign Mad Max already! Christ, ASG gave Joe Johnson $120 million, they can give him $2 million or so for 2 seasons. We add him back into the mix and with the other moves, we might actually have 4 balanced lines and score some goals.
World Be Free
July 9th, 2010
2:43 pm
Brendan-maybe next week, after the prospect camp
sc-I am with you, not because of JJ – cuz we need to round out this lineup. It would be great if it were with Max!
Jo-Bu
July 9th, 2010
3:05 pm
Wow! In the history of the game, has there ever been such a turnover from the previous year’s Stanley Cup winners to another single organ-eye-zation?
Go ThrashHawks!
Brendan
July 9th, 2010
3:16 pm
Lee, no player can make $15 million a year in cap hit. The max contract allowed is $11.9 million in cap hit. So, no. They haven’t offered him that. They can’t, under the rules of the current CBA.
trolley dodger
July 9th, 2010
3:35 pm
Is stendec gone for good now? Please?
Thrashers Name John Torchetti Associate Coach – NHL.com | The Fresno News
July 15th, 2010
10:08 pm
[...] coach under Craig RamsayThe Canadian PressThrashers add John Torchetti as associate coachNewsOK.comThrashers name Torchetti associate head coachAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Chicago Breaking Sports – Tribune (blog)all 39 news [...]