"Wanted a sparring match": Flyers reporter who got called out by John Tortorella responds to Philadelphia coach's outburst

By Ankit Kumar

Modified Jan 12, 2024 17:41 GMT

Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella made headlines earlier this week when he unexpectedly called out Flyers reporter Anthony SanFilippo during a post-game press conference. SanFilippo, who was taken aback by the public criticism, recently shared his perspective on the incident in an interview with Daily Faceoff.

In the interview, SanFilippo was asked about his initial reaction to John Tortorella's outburst. SanFilippo responded:

"I really wasn't expecting, I don't think anybody was expecting it. Like Frank said, no one was really expecting him to just bring that up in a post game situation, no less. I mean, we're there talking about just what happened on the ice.

"When he went off, I was like, okay. I had a sense that he wanted me to kind of get into a little bit of a sparring match with him on it. But I don't believe in making myself a story. That's not what I'm here to do. That's not what my job is.

"I was just going to stand there and let him say what he had to say. And I'll talk with John down the line, we'll get together and have a private conversation. But, yeah, kind of caught me off guard a little bit."

SanFilippo credited Tortorella for bringing attention to the broader issue of shaping a positive narrative around the Flyers.

"I give him credit from this perspective. ... That this is a place that players can want to come play, that Philadelphia can still be a hockey destination location."

John Tortorella called out Anthony SanFilippo

Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella vehemently denied SanFilippo's claim alleging Kevin Hayes' involvement in Cutter Gauthier's trade to the Anaheim Ducks. The trade, acquiring Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick, followed Gauthier expressing his unwillingness to play for the Flyers.

SanFilippo's rumor, suggesting Hayes' influence, drew strong condemnation from Tortorella during a postgame conference. He defended Hayes, expressing:

"Is the guy here that caused Kevin Hayes a problem?"

SanFilippo replied with a "Yes," to which John Tortorella replied:

"Are you kidding me? You think Kevin Hayes is going to do something like that?” Tortorella said. “It just p*sses me off that you guys throw that around and affect someone’s life. Kevin Hayes and I had a problem, and we couldn’t come to an agreement how to play.

“That’s a good man. That’s a good man. And what you said is going to stay with him. That’s what you guys don’t understand. You’re going to sit there and say you have the right sources.”

Flyers' coach John Tortorella is known for his outspoken personality and this was on display here.