Today, the Columbus Blue Jackets, along with head coach John Tortorell, held an outdoor practice at Winter Park open to public viewing to grow closer to the community and the fanbase. In what could’ve been a great practice and day for the community another injury marred the event, but this time it wasn’t one of the players.
As reported by multiple sources throughout the events, John Tortorella was on the ice while running practice and had his head turned to speak with another individual in attendance and forward Rene Bourque inadvertently ran into him, causing him to fall, relatively unbraced, to the ice. Coach Tortorella was able to pick himself up and skate off the ice on his own power and was seen walking back to Nationwide Arena with general manager, Jarmo Kekkalainen, but was later reported as being taken to a nearby hospital via ambulance.
Fortunately for coach Tortorella, and the Blue Jackets organization, there was no injury to his head or spine in the process, however he suffered two broken ribs as a result of the collision with Bourque. The Columbus website has reported that Tortorella did not make the 2:30 PM flight with the players and other coaching staff to Boston for tomorrows game against the Bruins. It is also highly unlikely that he will be making the trip on his own and will therefore be unable to coach the team in tomorrows game.
There has been no official statement released from Tortorella himself, as it is likely that he is home resting off his injuries. However, club general manager, Jarmo Kekkalainen stated that “He’s stubborn, but he needs to go [to the hospital],” and continued on to say “His health is the most important thing.” Due to the likelihood of Coach Tortorella not making the trip, associate coach Craig Hartsburg will be taking the reigns tomorrow against the Boston Bruins.
Main Photo Credit:
Caption: GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 17: Head coach John Tortorella of the Columbus Blue Jackets watches from the bench during the NHL game against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on December 17, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. The Blue Jackets defeated the Coyotes 7-5. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
