Minnesota’s interim head coach John Torchetti is about to make his home debut, but to do it in a setting as unique as the Stadium Series is going to make for a special experience.
Minnesota Wild Interim Coach addresses the media after the Stadium Series practice. Photo by Lonny Goldsmith
“Usually happens every day, doesn’t it?” Torchetti said after the Saturday afternoon skate. “It’s really exciting. It’s definitely something that I’m looking forward to for the State of Hockey and Minnesota. It’s an exciting time, but we’d like to come out with two points.”
Torchetti is very familiar with this Blackhawks team. He was an assistant coach for Joel Quenneville for three seasons, from 2007-10.
“It’s a pretty special week for him,” Quenneville said. “I’m sure he’s excited about the opportunity and he’s done a great job in a short amount of time. But we’re playing for keeps when we start tomorrow. But I wish him well. It’s a fun situation for him.”
Since Torchetti took over for Mike Yeo, the Wild rattled off three straight wins on a Western Canada road swing in which the team scored 15 goals — 5 in each game — from 12 different skaters.
“He brings a great dynamic,” said Wild forward Zach Parise. “He’s passionate about it. You can tell how excited he is to be here and be a part of it. In the room, in the meetings, behind the bench he’s enthusiastic, he’s positive, he’s supportive.
“I’m not disrespecting Mike by saying that, but that’s what he’s bringing and the players are responding.”
Forward Jason Zucker said that there hasn’t been any change in the system, but the coaching helped light a fire under the team.
“Obviously it’s a change with a new face and a new voice,” he said. “But it was a good week for us. We got three big wins.
“It’s unfortunate because, as players, we hold the coach’s destiny in our hands,” he said. “Mike did a lot of great things here and a lot of great things that we’ll carry through our careers.”
Rookie defenseman Mike Reilly said that the team seems reenergized since the change.
“We’re just playing and not thinking as much,” Reilly said. “We’ve scored a lot of goals in the last three games, and obviously the competition is going to be a step up here tomorrow, but confidence is high. It’s fun coming to the rink when you’re winning.”
Torchetti’s start in Chicago coincided with Chicago captain Jonathan Toews’ first three years as a pro. Toews said he enjoyed his time with Torchetti behind the bench.
“It’s nice to see him having success and having the opportunity at this level,” he said. “You never know what it’s like to play for a guy when he’s a head coach, I think there’s a huge difference there. But we enjoyed playing for him when he’s here in Chicago. It’s nice to see him having success and having the opportunity at this level.”
Torchetti said that he got congratulatory texts from Quenneville and Blackhawks President and CEO John McDonough, and wished him luck as long as the Wild weren’t playing Chicago.
“It’ll be fun to see the guys back on the ice on the other side,” Torchetti said. “We did some great things with the organization with some great people, but after the puck drops it’s just another game.”
Follow Lonny on Twitter @lonny_goldsmith and you can always reach him at Lonny.Goldsmith@prohockeynews.com
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