Tocchet misses everything about hockey, including enemy territory

Rick Tocchet misses hockey a lot, from the game itself to the fans, while the NHL is on pause due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus. The Arizona Coyotes coach misses hearing from the opposing fans too.

"Going into Carolina [with] the Caniacs and seeing how loud they are, going to play St. Louis, and that stupid bell goes off every time they score a goal. I miss that stuff," Tocchet said in a video call arranged by the NHL on Friday. Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour and St. Louis Blues coach Craig Berube were also on the call.

The NHL season was paused on March 12.

Tocchet, Berube and Brind'Amour discussed various topics, including their time with the Philadelphia Flyers. Tocchet played for Philadelphia from 1984-1992 and 1999-2002, Berube from 1986-91 and Brind'Amour from 1991-2000. At the end of the video conference, all three coaches thanked those in the medical profession helping to fight the pandemic, with Berube and Tocchet also mentioning the void left during the League pause.

"We all miss [hockey], we want to play," Berube said. "Coaches, players, they want hockey back, for sure. We'll get through this. But the most important thing is to stay healthy, stay safe."

Tocchet said he won't take any of this for granted, including opposing fans cheering against them, when hockey returns.

"I think our players shouldn't [either], because we're very lucky we're in this sport that's been taken away because of this crisis we're in," Tocchet said. "Hopefully when we come back we can put some joy in some people's lives again with some entertainment."