Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella will not be behind the bench at this weekend’s NHL All-Star Game to tend to a family issue.
“Regrettably, there is a personal matter that requires my immediate attention that will force me to leave the team temporarily and miss the All-Star Game in Los Angeles,” Tortorella said in a statement on NHL.com on Thursday. “This decision was not made lightly as representing the Columbus Blue Jackets is something I am very proud of, but it is the right decision for my family and I. I appreciate the support of our organization and the National Hockey League and my hope is to be back with the team next week.”
On Friday, Tortorella told The Columbus Dispatch that he needs to be home in Columbus to care for one of the family’s ailing dogs.
The dog, a 10-year-old pit bull named Emma, belongs to Tortorella’s son, Nick, who is currently stationed abroad with the U.S. Army.
“I appreciate so much the number of messages I have received since the announcement,” Tortorella said. “But this absolutely is not an emergency. I want to clear that up.
“I needed a few days during the All-Star break – not having to go to the All-Star Game – to take care of something very important to my family and my son.”
In order to miss the All-Star Game, Tortorella—like any NHL All-Star who opts out of the weekend’s events—needed to also sit out Thursday’s game in Nashville, a 4-3 loss which saw assistants Brad Larsen and Brad Shaw coach the team in his place.
Tortorella said he cleared up his absence with his team ahead of time.
The coach has long been an avid supporter of animal rights and adoption, and has helped rescue and re-home foster dogs through the John and Christine Tortorella Foundation. Much of his work is also dedicated to pit bulls.
Tortorella has led the Blue Jackets to a 32-11-4 record this season which has them currently sitting in second place in the Metropolitan Division. He was slated to coach the Metro team this weekend in Los Angeles.
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