Tocchet Returns to Coyotes After Mother's Death

GLENDALE --Arizona Coyotes Head Coach Rick Tocchet said his mother, Norma, had an unwavering faith in his ability and character during the 18 seasons he played in the NHL.
"I never deserved a penalty. I never had a bad game. It was always the coach's fault," Tocchet said Thursday. "I could do no wrong. In her eyes, I was like [Wayne] Gretzky and [Mario] Lemieux put together."

Tocchet's mother died from brain cancer at the age of 93 in Markham, Ontario on Wednesday. Tocchet took a leave of absence Monday to be with her, along with his brothers, Andy and Dan, and other family members. Assistant John MacLean coached the Coyotes in Tocchet's absence.
Tweet from @RealRocket22: I would like to sincerely thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for my mother Norma Tocchet . Means a lot !!!Huge huge hockey fan that I am gonna miss everyday ��������#incrediblewoman������
Tocchet rejoined the Coyotes at their morning skate and will be behind the bench when they play the Nashville Predators at Gila River Arena on Thursday.
"I'm a routine guy," Tocchet said. "That's the way my mom would want it anyway. Plus, it's funny. You're away two days and you miss the guys."
Tocchet described his mom as a pure hockey fan.
"She has probably watched more hockey than all of us put together," he said. "Probably the last game she watched was about two months ago. I could tell. She always asks about hockey, and when she didn't ask any more, I knew something was up."
Tocchet said his best memory of his mom came in junior hockey when he played for coach Terry Crisp and Sault Ste. Marie of the Ontario Hockey League from 1981-84.
"She used to make the whole team veal sandwiches," Tocchet said. "That used to get me on the power play. That's what Terry Crisp always says. She'd be outside the bus with veal sandwiches and a bottle of wine for Terry Crisp. For some reason, I'd be on the power play the next day."
Tocchet said he talked to his mom at least every other day until the past two months when her health declined.
"I'm a momma's boy," Tocchet said. "She had a great run. She had a chance to be involved with us."
The Coyotes, who are 23-35-11 in Tocchet's first season, are 5-1-1 in their past seven games and 11-3-2 in their past 16. They were eliminated from Stanley Cup Playoff contention Wednesday.
Tocchet, who won the Stanley Cup as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017, was named Coyotes coach July 11. He played three seasons with the Coyotes (1997-2000).