Rick Tocchet steps away as Vancouver Canucks head coach after turbulent season [Video]

Rick Tocchet will not return as the Vancouver Canucks head coach next season. 

The NHL team announced the news on Tuesday, saying Tocchet has chosen to step away after discussions with the team and management.

“I’m choosing to move on from the Vancouver Canucks,” Tocchet said in a statement released by the team.

“Family is a priority, and with my contract lapsing, this becomes the opportune time. While I don’t know where I’m headed or exactly how this will play out for me over the near term, I feel like this is the right time for me to explore other opportunities in and around hockey.”

Tocchet had a 108-65-27 record after taking over the Vancouver bench on Jan. 22, 2023, and his contract gave the Canucks the option of keeping him for next season. 

Vancouver’s president of hockey operations, Jim Rutherford, said earlier this month that the team would not …