John Robert Tortorella (born June 24, 1958) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). Tortorella was previously the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning (2001–2008), the New York Rangers (2009–2013) and the Vancouver Canucks (2013–2014). He led Tampa Bay to the 2004 Stanley Cup championship.\n', '

Tortorella attended Concord-Carlisle High School in Concord, Massachusetts, and he is listed on the school\'s athletic Hall of Fame wall (1976). He also attended the University of Maine, graduating in 1981. John\'s brother Jim Tortorella is also listed on the wall.\n', '

Tortorella, nicknamed \'The Paper Italian\', played right wing for three years (1978–1981) at the University of Maine. While at Maine, he played along with his brother Jim, the goaltender, who now serves as a men\'s assistant coach for the Providence Friars. After college Tortorella went to Sweden to play a year in Kristianstads IK (1981–1982), after which he came back to the US to play four years of minor pro hockey (1982–1986) in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League (ACHL). During these years he skated with the Hampton Roads Gulls, Erie Golden Blades, Nashville South Stars and the Virginia Lancers.\n', '

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