Rick Tocchet named Pacific Division All-Star coach

Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet has been announced as the new coach of the Pacific Division for the 2020 All-Star Weekend.

Tocchet replaces the Pacific’s original selection, Gerard Gallant, who was recently fired from his position as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Under Tocchet’s guidance, the Arizona Coyotes find themselves holding a 26-18-5 record and are currently holding the top spot in the Pacific Division.

After many years of struggles, Tocchet has the Coyotes working towards getting back to the post-season and has seen the team impress fairly consistently so far in the 2019/20 season.

With the Coyotes sat atop the Pacific, it is unsurprising that Tocchet has been named as the replacement for Gallant, though it will be disappointing that goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who was the Coyotes’ player selection for the All-Star Weekend in St. Louis, won’t be able to team up with his coach on this occasion.

This will be Tocchet’s first time attending the All-Star Weekend as a coach, having made four appearances as a player during the late 1980s and 1990s.