John Tortorella fined $25,000 for media availability conduct

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella was fined by the NHL. Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

NHL fines Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella $25,000 for media availability conduct

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/25/20

The NHL announced Tuesday afternoon that Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella was fined $25,000 for his conduct during a post-game press conference following his team's postseason elimination at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning on Aug. 19.

After Game 5, Tortorella remained available for only two questions before he prematurely ended the session.

"I'm not going to get into the touchy-feely stuff and the moral victories and all that," he said as he rose from his seat. "You guys be safe."

The NHL Foundation receives the fine money.

As explained by the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), the NHL collected on an original conditional fine assessed to Tortorella on Jan. 1 after he criticized officials following a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 29.

That punishment would've been erased had he made it the remainder of the campaign without further incident.

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