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John Tortorella Unveils The Reason He Scratched Rookie In Front Of His Parents

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Tyler Ball
January 13, 2024 (11:09)

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Flyers head coach John Tortorella addressing the media in Philadelphia

Photo credit: Philadelphia Flyers

Tonight a rookie for the Philadelphia Flyers was scratched in a game his parents were set to attend. This caused an uproar from fans and media that head coach John Tortorella had to respond to before tonight's game.

Tortorella Scratches Rookie Before Game In Front Of His Parents

This afternoon the scratches for the Philadelphia Flyers in their game against the Minnesota Wild were announced. One surprising name on the list of scratched players was forward Bobby Brink.

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Brink is a Minnesota native who was set to play in front of a packed section of family in his first return to Minnesota since making the NHL. Instead he will be in the press box due to a decision made by John Tortorella.

Tortorella Speaks Out On The Reason He Scratched Brink In His Hometown

After practice this morning John Tortorella spoke with the media about tonight's game. In doing so he was asked about Brink being scratched at home. In his answer, Tortorella said that Brink has been inconsistent lately and other guys need a chance.

Other players are playing better. This is all part of the process for Bobby. He's going to be a really good player, but there are a lot of things he needs to work on, and I think he's been a little inconsistent. Bobby Brink doesn't have a cemented spot in the National Hockey League. He has a ways to go as far as to find that. But that's to be expected. I think he's going to be a really good player for us.

Tortorella was then asked if he considered scratching Brink in the next game instead because of the circumstances of Brink's return home. Tortorella gave a typical answer that confirms winning is the only factor on his mind.

"Absolutely not, and don't start with all the hugging, and that stuff, because I heard it last year. It's the National Hockey League. I can't get itineraries from players when their parents are coming in to decide what a lineup is. I can't. I knew that would come up. You're in the wrong game. If we're going to play inter-mural and all that stuff, whatever you want to call the fun stuff, this is the National Hockey League. These are part of the things that kids have to go
through."

"Having said that, yeah, I'd love for his parents to see him play. It just didn't work out that way."

The harsh answer is typical of Tortorella's personality during his NHL tenure. Luckily for Brink, he is held in high regard by the organization and Tortorella so he will likely get another opportunity in the future to return to Minnesota.

If the Flyers lose tonight Tortorella might face some major heat for making a decision that went against one of his players and didn't even contribute to a win in the end.

Previously on PuckReporter

Bruce Boudreau Reveals How The Vancouver Canucks Almost Ruined The Career Of Quinn Hughes

MAJOR: Reporter Drops An Alarming Update On Marner's Future In Toronto

REPORT: Montreal Canadiens Have Agreement In Place To Trade Former 6th Overall Pick

POLL
13 JANVIER \| 236 ANSWERS John Tortorella Unveils The Reason He Scratched Rookie In Front Of His Parents Should Tortorella have scratched Bobby Brink?
Yes all that matters is winning	78	33.1 %
No let the kid play in front of his family	158	66.9 %
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