Flyers’ former coach John Tortorella leaves heartfelt note for players after being fired

The Philadelphia Flyers have officially parted ways with head coach John Tortorella, making a bold decision with just 10 games remaining in the 2024-25 NHL regular season. The move comes after a crushing 7-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, which seemingly sealed his fate in the eyes of Flyers' management.

Despite his abrupt departure, Tortorella showed his appreciation for the team, leaving behind a handwritten note for both the players and coaching staff. Interim head coach Brad Shaw revealed the gesture, stating: "He left a note in our (coaches) room and in the players’ room when he came and got his stuff. That’s the type of guy he is."

Tortorella’s message underscores his strong connection with the team, despite the difficult circumstances surrounding his exit. His dedication and influence were never in question, but the Flyers' struggles ultimately led to a coaching change.
Tortorella’s firing was the result of a disappointing season that saw the Flyers fall to last place in the Metropolitan Division with a 29-36-9 record. The team has now missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year, with their last appearance coming in the 2020 NHL playoff bubble.
Following the humiliating loss to the Maple Leafs, Tortorella candidly addressed the frustrations of coaching a rebuilding team, saying, "When you're in this type of situation and you're losing all the time, and there's nothing at the end of the tunnel for you, there's certainly going to be some frustration. But, this falls on me. I'm not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season, where we're at right now. But I have to do a better job. So this falls on me, getting the team prepared to play the proper way until we get to the end."

His brutally honest statement may have been the final push for general manager Daniel Briere to make the call for a change, rather than waiting until the season’s end.
With Tortorella gone, the Flyers have appointed Brad Shaw as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Shaw made an immediate impact, leading the team to a 6-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in his first game in charge. The Flyers will look to build on that momentum as they prepare to face the Buffalo Sabres next.
Also Read: Why did the Philadelphia Flyers fire John Tortorella as head coach?
Although Tortorella’s tenure in Philadelphia didn’t result in a playoff appearance, his leadership and commitment were evident. The note he left behind serves as a reminder of his character, even as the Flyers turn the page on this chapter of their franchise history.