The Columbus Blue Jackets announced the extension of head coach John Tortorella today. Tortorella, 60, has been behind the Jackets bench since he was brought on in 2015. After missing the playoffs in his first two years, Tortorella brought a post-season berth to the Blue Jackets 2016-17 and 2017-18. Tortorella had one year remaining on his deal and now adds two additional years. He is signed through the 2020-21 season.
CBJ have signed Head Coach John Tortorella to a 2-year extension.
→ https://t.co/jX8B8DjuaQ pic.twitter.com/qK6YU2OZLd
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) September 12, 2018
John Tortorella, Blue Jackets ink extension
With 239 games coaching the Columbus Blue Jackets, John Tortorella has a coaching record 129-87-23. The 2016-17 season was Tortorella’s best season yet with the Blue Jackets. Capping at 50 wins behind the bench, Tortorella was one win away from his coaching career high at 51 in 2011.
Over his eighteen-year NHL coaching career, John Tortorella has spent his time between the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, and the Blue Jackets. Overall he has coached 1175 games while registering 575 wins and 462 losses. His greatest success was with the Tampa Bay Lighting in the 2003-04 season, leading the Lightning to a Stanley Cup victory. While Tortorella has led the Blue Jackets to post-season berths, the franchise has yet to win a single playoff round. Going forward Tortorella and the Blue Jackets will look to change this.
With an extension now in place, Tortorella and the Jackets will look to keep on improving and making noise in the playoffs. With a promising future and past couple seasons, Blue Jackets fans should be excited about their team.
“Our team has been one of the winningest in the NHL over the past two seasons and John Tortorella has played a critical role in that success and in raising the level of our team’s play since his arrival,” said Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen. “His passion and commitment to being the best has permeated our team and we believe will lead to even greater success in the future.”
