Coyotes grant head coach Rick Tocchet leave of absence from team

In-this-July-13,-2017,-file-photo,-Rick-Tocchet,-the-new-coach-of-the-Arizona-Coyotes,-speaks-during-a-news-conference-in-Glendale,-Ariz.-Tocchet-will-get-his-third-Pittsburgh-Penguins-Stanley-Cup-ring,-second-as-an-assistant-coach-after-one-as-a-player,-when-he-visits-as-coach-of-the-Arizona-Coyotes-on-Tuesday-night,-Nov.-7,-2017.-(Ross-D.-Franklin,-File/AP)

Rick Tocchet. (Ross D. Franklin, File/AP)

The Arizona Coyotes have granted have granted head coach Rick Tocchet a leave of absence to deal with an illness in his family.

It’s been a rough first season for Tocchet behind the Coyotes bench. Arizona hired the 53-year-old this past July, and the team has faltered to an NHL-worst 22-35-11 record.

“Family comes first,” said Coyotes general manager John Chayka said in a release. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Toc as he deals with this personal matter. It’s important that he takes the time to be there with his family.”

Assistant coach John MacLean will take over head coaching duties during Tocchet’s absence.

The Coyotes will host the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday.

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