Tony DeAngelo: No Major Confrontations With John Tortorella In Philly

It was nothing “personal.” There were no major confrontations or blowups. That’s what former Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo said about the dispute between him and Philadelphia coach John Tortorella last season.

“The coach and I wound up not fitting together. I guess that would be the main reason for leaving the team,” DeAngelo told the media after signing with the Carolina Hurricanes earlier this week.

DeAngelo was unconditionally waived by the Flyers on July 14 after a trade with Carolina fell through over a collective bargaining agreement technicality. Tortorella had benched DeAngelo for the final five games of the season and the defenseman complained publicly. Everything pointed to an eventual parting of the ways.

DeAngelo, a native of Sewell in South Jersey, played one season with the Flyers. He said there was a “mutual disagreement on a bunch of things” but he did not elaborate.

“At the same time, I enjoyed playing in Philly, if that makes any sense,” DeAngelo said. “It was a dream of mine from when I was a little kid to play with the Flyers. 

“But it didn’t work out. As soon as it wasn’t working out we kind of had an idea that if I was going to go anywhere it would be back to Carolina, if possible. Glad it worked out that way.”

Reunited With Brind’Amour

DeAngelo played in Carolina the season before he played in Philly. The Hurricanes will be one of the favorites to win the Stanley Cup next season under coach Rod Brind’Amour.

“And the way I got along with Rod is more than any other coach that I played for in my career,” DeAngelo said. “I thought we were a good match for one another.

“It’s all about me coming in and helping the Hurricanes take the next step to where we all want to be.”

DeAngelo scored 11 goals and 42 points in Philly but was a defensive liability with a minus-27. 

“I actually thought the best defensively that I’ve played was in Carolina,” DeAngelo said.

“[Rod] lets you play and he lets you be who you are. I think that’s important, especially for myself.

“One of the big reasons for wanting to come back was the way that the fans have embraced me there. The team, and the organization. It was nice and it’ll be nice to be back.”

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