ROCHESTER, N.Y. - To many Amerks fans, the 1995-96 season is one that is remembered fondly as the last time the team hoisted the Calder Cup. NY Rangers coach John Tortorella shares that sentiment, but one of his most predominant memories of that team has to deal with the late Craig Charron. It's a story that "Torts" can best tell himself.
"I will never forget it, that situation in Albany," he said at Sunday's Craig Charron Celebrity Hockey game. "I just love the way that he handled himself, although at the time I didn't like it."
He is referring to a mid-season game in Albany. During the game Tortorella had gotten fed up with Charron's play and pulled him off of the ice. He then followed Charron into the locker room and soon enough, the two were wrestling with each other on the ground trading punches.
"He got me with a couple of shots," Tortorella says now with a smile. "That was a special time and it wasn't a great time while it was going on, but a special time in our relationship."
A relationship that began to grow almost immediately, following a conversation the two shared the very next day. To this day, Tortorella will not share the contents of that conversation.
"I'll never share it. That's between him and I, and I'll never forget the way that he handled himself."
Both on the ice and off it. Charron went to lead the Amerks in points and goals scored that season, helping Rochester capture the Calder Cup.
"As you develop relationships, there are conflicts, and Craig and I had many run-ins along the way, but it was always done in what was best for the team and making him a better player. And he made me a better coach. He was just such a good man."
It's reasons like that which will keep Tortorella coming back to Rochester to honor his friend for as long as he can.
"I hope that I'm involved in this for a long time, and I know Craig - he's enjoying himself. He is."
