Charlottetown Islanders head coach talks about John Tortorella’s influence

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeAtlantic CanadaPrince Edward IslandPEI SportsSummersideSportsHockeyLocal Sports Charlottetown Islanders head coach talks about John Tortorella’s influence Johh Mitchell played for the NHL coach during his time with the New York Rangers Author of the article: By Jason Simmonds Published Sep 24, 2026 Last updated 29 minutes ago 5 minute read Former New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella talks to current Charlottetown Islanders head coach John Mitchell, right (No. 34), in an NHL game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in Toronto on Jan. 14, 2012. PHOTO BY JACK BOLAND/TORONTO SUN /File Article content Johh Mitchell has played for a lot of coaches but there is one that stands out for the Charlottetown Islanders head coach. Article content John Tortorella, who is known for his intense, fiery and direct approach with more than 1,600 NHL games coached, left a lasting impression on Mitchell. Article content Article content “I love Torts in the sense that he was very black and white with his approach in the sense that you knew where you stood on the team,” said Mitchell, who is in his first year coaching in the QMJHL. “He treated every single player – at least it seemed like to me – the same way with the same amount of respect. Article content Article content “Whether you were a 40-goal guy, or you were a fourth-line centre, you knew where you stood and he treated you with respect. He wanted the best for you as an individual to inevitably help the team have success.” Article content Mitchell, a forward, played only one season (2011-12) for Tortorella with the New York Rangers. Article content “I’ve said it to other people before, I wish I would have had the opportunity to play under him for multiple years,” Mitchell told The Guardian in a recent phone interview. “He had a big impression on me as a coach and I did like him as a coach because he, again, was black and white and he saw what I could bring to the team and he used it in the right way. I feel like he got the best out of me.” Article content Charlottetown Islanders head coach John Mitchell intently watches a drill during the QMJHL team’s training camp at Simmons Sports Centre in Charlottetown recently. PHOTO BY JASON SIMMONDS /The Guardian Article content Mitchell played 566 NHL regular-season and playoff games, compiling 70 goals and 178 points. In his lone season with the…