Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Rick Tocchet Sends Strong Message to Sidney Crosby Ahead of 4 Nations Face-Off
Photo credit: TSN
Team Canada assistant coach Rick Tocchet had some high praise for captain Sidney Crosby ahead of tonight's 4 Nations Face-Off opener against Elias Pettersson and Sweden.
The eyes of Canadians coast to coast to coast will be on Montreal, Quebec tonight as Team Canada begins their quest for international glory at the 4 Nations Face-Off, with Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet behind the bench as an assistant on Jon Cooper's staff.
Rick Tocchet full of praise for future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby marks his return to the Canadian men's national team at the 4 Nations Face-Off after a nine-year absence and he's going to be playing a big role both on and off the ice as Canada's captain.
Crosby knows what it takes and has plenty of international experience that will be valuable to younger players on Canada's roster and he's going to be relied on a lot by Jon Cooper and the rest of the coaching staff throughout the tournament.
In a recent interview with Postmedia, Rick Tocchet was full of praise for Sidney Crosby, someone who he's very familiar with from his time behind the bench in Pittsburgh and will coach once again at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Tocchet said that Crosby's hockey IQ is "outstanding" and that despite his age, he still plays a 200-foot game, doesn't cheat and that if he wanted, he could easily continue suiting up in the National Hockey League well into his 40s.
"How many more years is he going to play? He could play into his 40s," Tocchet said. "He takes care of himself, and his hockey I.Q. is outstanding. The one thing people don't understand is that Sid doesn't cheat."
He added, "He plays a 200-foot game. If he really wanted to - and I keep telling people this - Sid could play another five years."
He added, "He plays a 200-foot game. If he really wanted to - and I keep telling people this - Sid could play another five years."
With the 'C' on his chest and wearing the Maple Leafs once again, Sidney Crosby is determined to bring Canada to the top of the hockey world, not only at the 4 Nations Face-Off, but also at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy next year, in what could be his final two appearances for his nation..
Tocchet, Crosby and Team Canada have a big test tonight against Elias Pettersson and Team Sweden, and it's going to be very important in a short tournament to get off to a strong start. Puck drop for tonight's game is set for 5 pm PT on Sportsnet.
Source: Ben Kuzma/The Province
Canucks 4-Nations Face-Off: How Sidney Crosby, Rick Tocchet gained dramatic Team Canada fame
Canucks 4-Nations Face-Off: How Sidney Crosby, Rick Tocchet gained dramatic Team Canada fame
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