John Tortorella Out As Golden Knights Coach After Stanley Cup Final Run

The Vegas Golden Knights said John Tortorella is not returning to the coaching staff after he led the team to the Stanley Cup Final.

"We thank Torts for the guidance he provided our team since joining the organization in March," general manager Kelly McCrimmon said on Tuesday, June 16. "When the decision was made to bring Torts to Vegas, we needed an immediate impact to help us at a pivotal point in the season. Torts’ experience and leadership proved to be the boost that we were looking for, helping guide us to the Stanley Cup Final. We are grateful for Torts’ passion, sincerity, and commitment to our organization, and we wish him and his family the best."

Tortorella, 67, was hired when Bruce Cassidy was fired with eight games left in the regular season. He helped stabilize the slumping team, which won the Pacific Division title. The Golden Knights got past the Utah Mammoth, Anaheim Ducks and Colorado Avalanche, sweeping the No. 1 overall team.

They fell to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup Final. His overall record was 20-9-1.

Highs and lows of Tortorella's time in Vegas

Highs

• He immediately made an impact as the team went 7-0-1 down the stretch to clinch the Pacific Division title.
• The Golden Knights overcome a 2-1 series deficit against the Mammoth by winning Game 4-6. They won Game 5 and 6 against the Ducks.
• In the sweep of the Avalanche, the Golden Knights twice came back, once in the third period and once when they trailed 3-0.
• The Golden Knights won Games 1 and 3 of the Stanley Cup Final. They overcame a 2-0 deficit in Game 1.

Lows

• The NHL docked the Golden Knights a second-round pick and fined Tortorella $100,000 when he didn't hold a media availability after the clinching win against the Avalanche.
• In Game 2 of the final, Tortorella unsuccessfully challenged a no-goal call, leading to a Hurricanes power play and go-ahead goal. Carolina eventually won in overtime and Tortorella said, "I'd challenge it 10 out of 10 times."
• The Hurricanes made a goalie change from Frederik Andersen to Brandon Bussi to come back in the series. Tortorella stuck with Carter Hart, who he knew from Philadelphia, even as he gave up four goals in each of the first five games. Asked if he considered a move in Game 5, he replied, "That could be the stupidest question I've heard." Hart had his best game of the series in Game 6, but the Hurricanes won 3-0 to end a 20-year championship drought.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden Knights' John Tortorella is out as coach