After any major game, fans are going to have questions and reactions. Leave it to the media to get to the bottom of anything and find a good story to break the headlines. Some players and coaches eat up this special media attention, using the opportunity to put on a show for the press, or as a prime opportunity for shenanigans. Meanwhile, other players and coaches may not be in the mood to speak to anyone after a game, which often results in outbursts that fans talk about for years to come. Here are some of the most memorable NHL press conferences that have their own wealth of lore associated with them.
1. Binnington Throws a Bottle
Courtesy of Jeff Curry/USA TODAY Sports
It is common knowledge, even with those who don’t watch hockey, that the game is a contact sport. Players are hit and checked, they run into each other, get in brawls and, of course, lose teeth. So, it's no surprise that former Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri collided with St. Louis Blues’ Goaltender Jordan Binnington as he was skating full speed towards the net during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Another thing that is not surprising is how Binnington reacted. Binnington has a reputation in the league for being one of the most aggressive goalies in the NHL, both physically and verbally. Notably, earlier in the 2021-22 season, Binnington had been penalized for going after Kadri in a scuffle.
So, during Kadri’s post-game interview, as he was walking by, Binnington threw a water bottle at Kadri on live television. When asked why he did it at a later press conference, Binnington replied that it “felt like a God-given opportunity” to get back at his rival.
2. “Fatso”
Courtesy of Jeff Zelevansky/Icon SMI
One of the biggest rivalries in the NHL is between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers. During the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the two teams were pitted against each other in the first round. In the end, the Rangers ended up clobbering the Devils, winning the series in five games. After winning 5-3 in the final game of the series, both teams skated down the ice, shaking each other's hands as a typical sign of sportsmanship. However, some players were sore losers, and others had a lot to say about it.
During his post-game interview on live television, former Rangers left wing Sean Avery talked about his critical role in his team securing the series and the angst his physicality against Devils’ goaltender Martin Brodeur had caused. Their rivalry was clearly shown when Brodeur ignored Avery’s outstretched hand in the handshake line.
When asked about this incident, Avery simply responded without batting an eye, “Well Fatso there forgot to shake my hand, I guess.”
To this day, this interview continues to go down as one of the most legendary in the Devils/Rangers rivalry.
3. Hey Mom, it’s John Tortorella
Courtesy of Columbus Blue Jackets via Twitter
If there’s one coach who’s infamous in the league for having a temper, it’s John Tortorella. Throughout his career, he has been the head coach of many NHL teams. Tortorella, or “Torts” as he is often called, has racked up multiple fines, some up to $30,000. From insulting players, to barging into dressing rooms screaming at other teams for misconduct, Tortorella is no stranger to making a scene at a press conference.
One of Tortorella’s funniest soundbites happened back in 2019 when he was coaching the Columbus Blue Jackets. During the beginning of a press conference, one of the reporters’ phones rang. Tortorella opened up his comments by announcing, “Someone’s mom’s calling,” before asking for the reporter’s phone and having a brief conversation with the reporter’s mother on the other line.
4. Florida Man
Courtesy of For The Win/USA TODAY
It’s a big deal when an NHL team wins the Stanley Cup once, let alone twice. So, leave it to the players to celebrate before leaving the arena. In true Florida-Man fashion, Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nikita Kucherov was already celebrating at his press conference. Complete with beer, no shirt and a lot to say, Kucherov was milking his time with the media.
He started off by praising his teammate, goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, for his stellar performance and for winning the Conn Smythe Trophy for playoff MVP. Kucherov then rambled on how Vasilevskiy finally got the recognition he deserved. Kucherov called it the “number one bullsh*t” that Vasilevskiy had missed out on winning the Vezina Trophy for being the best goaltender in the league, when he carried them through the playoffs to win the Stanley Cup.
Besides gushing over Vasilevskiy, Kucherov went off on the Montréal Canadiens fans.
“I didn’t want to go back to Montréal…but those fans…those fans in Montréal, they acted like they won the Stanley Cup [after the] last game. Like come on,” he scoffed, throwing his hands up in the air.
Kucherov’s press conference has plenty of lore behind it and has gone down as one of the most iconic in the history of the NHL.
5. Goodbye to the Great
Courtesy of the Associated Press
Last, but certainly not least, it’s a tremendous event when a franchise player gets traded. While all these other press conferences and interviews have had a silly air about them, this one was a little more somber. In 1988, the Edmonton Oilers made the fateful decision to trade the best hockey player Canada had ever seen down south to the Los Angeles Kings. Wayne Gretzky is considered to be the greatest hockey player of all time. He scored the most goals in professional hockey, and every time he was on the ice, fans were on the edge of their seats because they knew something magical was about to happen.
However, by 1988, it had become clear to many that the game of hockey was being smothered in Canada. The game was beginning to take off further south, but without any great players on the southern teams, the game’s progress was diminishing at an alarming rate. In order to save the game, something had to be done. Thus, the Edmonton Oilers announced they were trading Gretzky.
Fans across the league were shaken to their cores. If Gretzky could be traded, no one was safe. During his final press conference with the Oilers, Gretzky promised he wouldn’t cry, but tears streamed down his face. When Gretzky cried, everyone cried with him.
Though Gretzky’s trade hurt, it kickstarted the growth of hockey in America. Ultimately, without Gretzky’s trade, the teams mentioned in this article probably wouldn’t have found as much success as they have. Gretzky’s final conference in Edmonton closed one chapter, but opened many more greater chapters that have resulted in growth for the game, exciting wins and memorable interactions with the press for years to come.
Edited by Jenna Mandarano
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