In 1987, Rick Tocchet made it all the way to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers. His team came up short against the Edmonton Oilers. When he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in February of 1992, he would bring a valuable combination of experience and hunger to a Penguins team that needed his unique brand of toughness and skill. In this edition of A Great Day for Hockey Talk, Tocchet reflects on that magical run to a second consecutive Stanley Cup Finals with his new team.
Highlights include :
-Tocchet’s memories of joining a new team and replacing Mark Recchi, a popular player he would later befriend.
-His special role as Mario Lemieux’s right winger and the adjustments he had to make in his game to accommodate the Penguins captain.
-His approach to providing protection for Lemieux and his other teammates.
-Some humorous stories from the days of the NHL players strike that interrupted the teams drive to the playoffs.
-Lessons he learned as a player that he still applies today as an NHL coach.
-The thrill and satisfaction he still feels to this day from winning the 1992 Stanley Cup against the Chicago Blackhawks.
