John Tortorella is back in the news for being mad during a press conference again.
After the Blue Jackets lost to the Lightning 5-4 in overtime and were eliminated from the playoffs, Torts walked out of his postgame press conference after only two questions. That was enough to warrant NHL discipline.
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John Tortorella took off after two questions in his final press conference of the season 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/68OxVf1Npm
— Gino Hard (@Ginohard_) August 19, 2020
Neal McHale of Inside Hockey asked Tortorella what it was like to work with the team inside the bubble after nearly a five-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic. It was essentially a softball question that gave Tortorella room to deflect on the loss. Torts could be seen squirming in his chair and looking off-camera as it was asked.
“You know what, guys? I’m not going to get into the touchy-feely stuff and the moral victories and all of that,” Torts said. “You guys be safe.”
He then walked away from the podium.
The NHL announced on Tuesday, six days later, that Tortorella has been fined $25,000.
NEW YORK (Aug. 25, 2020) – Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella has been fined $25,000 for his conduct during a media availability following Game 5 of the team’s First Round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday, Aug. 19, the National Hockey League announced today. The fine is the collection of a conditional fine assessed Jan. 1, 2020.
The fine money goes to the NHL Foundation.
This continues Tortorella’s tumultuous and emotional relationship with the press that has been problematic throughout his career.
Here are some of Torts’ RMNB headlines over the last two years.
- John Tortorella doesn’t ‘give a s*%&’ if mics catch him cursing during empty-arena playoff games
- John Tortorella’s expletive-filled, fist-slamming rant about the NHL review process and ‘goddamn technology’
- John Tortorella says he will no longer punish players who protest during the national anthem
- John Tortorella wants to get rid of the shootout. ‘Just play the 3-on-3 until a team dies.’
- John Tortorella answers reporter’s phone during press conference, tells mom he’d rather speak to her
- John Tortorella swears Artemi Panarin is not being traded tonight: ‘He sh*t his pants and he’s puking his guts out’
Totally normal.
Screenshot: Zoom
