Wayne Gretzky's son Ty Gretzky shows favouritism, backs Rick Tocchet's return as Flyers head coach with enthusiastic message

Ty Gretzky has thrown his support behind Rick Tocchet as the former NHL star nears a return to the Philadelphia Flyers as head coach. Tocchet’s potential hiring has sparked buzz across the league, with fans and insiders reacting to the news.

Ty Gretzky shares excitement as Rick Tocchet nears Flyers return
Ty Gretzky, the son of NHL legend Wayne Gretzky , voiced his excitement over Rick Tocchet's reported hiring by the Philadelphia Flyers. Taking to Instagram, Ty reacted to the developing news with a brief but energetic comment: "Let's go realrocket22." The post, originally shared by hockey forever, stated that Tocchet is poised to become the Flyers' 25th head coach.

Rick Tocchet is the new bench boss for the @NHLFlyers. pic.twitter.com/f2HYBMRBPW

— NHL (@NHL) May 14, 2025

Though the deal has not yet been made official, NHL insider Frank Seravalli from Daily Faceoff has reported that the hiring is imminent. If finalized, Tocchet would return to familiar territory — both literally and figuratively. A former Flyers captain and one of the most beloved figures in team history, Tocchet spent parts of 11 seasons in Philadelphia, amassing 508 points in 621 games.

Tocchet’s decision to join the Flyers reportedly came after declining a five-year offer from the Seattle Kraken. According to ESPN's John Buccigross and confirmed by Postmedia, the former Canucks coach prioritized Philadelphia due to its stability and a longstanding connection with team president Keith Jones, a former teammate.

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Tocchet had also been in talks with the Ducks and Bruins, but his ties to Philadelphia — and possibly a shared vision with management — ultimately made the Flyers the top choice. His coaching resume is impressive, highlighted by his 2023-24 Jack Adams Award win after leading the Vancouver Canucks to a 50-23-9 season and their first playoff berth in four years. He left Vancouver on April 29 and had been working with NHL on TNT while weighing his next move.