In just over two months, he has turned a lackluster Vegas Golden Knights team lacking confidence into a red-hot winning team in the NHL.
Since he was brought in as a replacement for the fired Bruce Cassidy, Vegas has won 19 of 24 games.
Only one obstacle remains for them to complete their run and win a second Stanley Cup: the Carolina Hurricanes. The NHL final series starts on Wednesday night local time in Sweden.
The system didn't change much, but Tortorella knows how the players think. It was a wake-up call for us; we weren't playing well and "Torts" came in with a lot of energy. He's very good at motivating his players, Olympic defenseman Rasmus Andersson told NHL.com.
Together with center William Karlsson, who won the Cup with Vegas in 2023, they could become blue-and-yellow Stanley Cup winners.
Threatened with beating
Tortorella led Tampa Bay to a Stanley Cup victory in 2004, but has since become best known for his hot temper.
He has threatened journalists with beatings, refused to answer questions at press conferences, lashed out at both his own players and opponents, and incurred a fine from the NHL of more than $300,000, equivalent to almost 2.8 million kronor.
Most of it is documented online.
On the way to the Stanley Cup Final, Tortorella was fined the equivalent of almost one million kronor, and Vegas lost a second-round draft pick in this summer's draft after he berated the media when Anaheim was defeated in the second round.
“Taught me a lot”
But the sporting aspect has worked perfectly and he has got the stars to relax and play.
"He's actually quite funny. He tries to keep it relaxed during the video meetings. He tries to make the room laugh and keep it light-hearted, but at the same time, when it's serious, it's serious," Andersson said in an interview with Vegas.
Tortorella downplays his own role and says he came to a ready-made team.
"In the short time I've been here, I've seen them and listened to them. I've learned a lot from the players. I think coaches sometimes overcoach their teams and get in their way. With this seasoned group, especially having coached younger teams before, I've learned to use my listening skills," Tortorella said, according to the AP.
Final 1 in best of 7, June 3 (2:00 a.m. local time in Sweden): Carolina–Vegas.
Final 2, June 5 (2:00 a.m. local time in Sweden): Carolina–Vegas.
Final 3, June 7 (2:00 a.m. local time in Sweden): Vegas–Carolina.
Final 4, June 10 (2:00 a.m. local time in Sweden): Vegas–Carolina.
If necessary, Final 5, June 12 (2:00 a.m. local time in Sweden): Carolina–Vegas.
If necessary, Final 6, June 15 (2:00 a.m. local time in Sweden): Vegas–Carolina.
If necessary, Final 7, June 18 (2:00 a.m. local time in Sweden): Carolina–Vegas.
All matches are broadcast on Viaplay.
