On Monday, October 15, New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella made a surprise visit and spoke with the New York University hockey team as the squad prepares for its upcoming season.

The visit was arranged by NYU hockey Head Coach Chris Cosentino, who had connected with Tortorella through the NY Rangers Dog Walk. That event was organized to raise funds and awareness for the Tortorella Family Foundation, which works in cooperation with the Westchester Humane Society to establish humane treatment of the animals in its care at the rescue shelter in Harrison, NY.  
 
"Coach Tortorella spoke to the team for over two hours and the feedback we received from the players was absolutely incredible," Cosentino said. "Over the past few years we have been trying to instill Coach Tortorella's philosophy on hard work and accountability into our student/athletes, and to have him speak was something we will never forget."
 
As the team was watching a video on Tortorella's Tampa Bay Lightning Stanley Cup season, Cosentino flipped the lights on half way through the video and had another idea.
 
"When Coach Tortorella walked into the room I think everyone did a double take," said NYU team captain Richie Pallai. "It is not every day that one of the best coaches in the NHL walks in and offers to help your team get better. It was incredible."


Tortorella took questions from Cosentino and then from team members. For over two hours, Tortorella discussed his views on coaching and what he expects from his players on a daily basis. He went on to offer personal advice to several of the players.
 
"What Coach Tortorella has done with the Rangers over the past four seasons makes me proud to be a Rangers fan and a New Yorker," Cosentino added. "He is not just about X's and O's. He is about teaching values and developing people. It was truly an honor to have him meet our student/athletes and make such a positive impact on our program."
 
On Saturday, November 17, the NYU hockey team will be supporting the Tortorella Family Foundation as a part of the NYU Hockey Charity of the Game Program. During the game, the team will help raise funds and awareness for the organization as NYU takes on Keene State College at Chelsea Piers.
 
More information on NYU hockey can be found here:
www.nyu.edu/teams/icehockey
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