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Bolts' Tortorella On Being Fired: 'Just Part Of The Business'

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 4, 2008

TAMPA - John Tortorella, the now former Lightning coach, spoke to the media for about 45 minutes this morning, the first time he has spoken publicly since returning in May from the World Championships where speculation began to circulate that he would not return for the final year of his contract.

That news became official on Tuesday when Lightning General Manager Jay Feaster announced that Tortorella was fired.

In the course of the conference call, Tortorella:

•Said he fully expected the change to happen. "When the team finishes 30th in the NHL, eventually something has to get done, somebody is going to look for some skin, but that's all just part of the business."

•Acknowledged his end-of-the-year meeting with Feaster where he suggested the team might need a new voice in the room. But said it felt like he was giving in a little bit and changed his thoughts on the subject after thinking it over, saying he still wanted to be in Tampa to see it through, feeling that the team is not far from being back in the playoff hunt.

•Was asked by reporters from Toronto, Ottawa and Florida whether he had any interest in filling the vacancies in those markets. He said he wasn't going to talk about specific jobs and whether he might have interest in them. Because he is still under contract for one more year, teams must first have permission to speak with him before talking about another job. He did state that he certainly is interested in getting another head coaching job and that he doesn't like the idea of sitting around next year just collecting a paycheck.

•Said that he and his wife intend to keep their house in the area and live here. He discussed how well they have been treated by the community and how fortunate they were to have both their children graduate from high school in the area, including his daughter who graduated from the University of Tampa.

•Again expressed that while the Stanley Cup was pinnacle, it was the playoff journey that he enjoyed the most and what he will carry with him the most as he thinks about his time in Tampa.

•Discussed somewhat how his relationship with Feaster has fractured a bit in recent months. He said he hopes they can sit down and clear the air at some point because he considers their friendship a strong one.

•Said he already has received a number of calls from players and already misses the fact that he won't be coaching them next year.

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