Flyers’ McDonald learning the ropes about fighting from his ex-tough guy coach

VOORHEES, N.J. – Years after the original Broad Street Bullies roamed the ice to protect the Flyers’ elite scorers, a second generation of tough guys showed up on the scene.

There was Dave Brown, there was Craig Berube and there was a rambunctious kid who went by the name Rick Tocchet around to keep the peace.

Or stir things up.

So when the 2026-27 Flyers hit the ice at the Flyers Training Center for Monday’s practice, it wasn’t all that surprising when a familiar face was out there giving young defenseman Hunter McDonald a few pointers on self-defense.

That would be none other than coach Rick Tocchet.

Tocchet, who accrued 2,970 penalty minutes during a spectacular NHL career, actually grabbed ahold of McDonald’s practice jersey and demonstrated how to tie up an opponent when gloves were dropped.

McDonald probably could have used a few of those tips in a skirmish with Anaheim’s A.J. Greer during Saturday afternoon’s game at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Greer, an experienced fighter, got the best of McDonald, who was just hanging on to avoid serious punishment.

At Monday’s practice, defenseman Nick Seeler – also no stranger to fisticuffs – spent a few moments with McDonald as well.

As for Tocchet, both McDonald and Seeler are well aware their coach could hold his own back in the day and appreciate they have his support when a fracas breaks out.

On the flip side, Tocchet doesn’t mind when his players get a bit physical.

A young guy like McDonald can always use some advice.

“The object is not to get hit,” Tocchet said. “In a fight, the protection and all. I just gave him some pointers to protect yourself. He’s a big guy. He wanted to ask some questions.

“You want every player to be aggressive and hit and do all that sort of stuff. You can give them advice but it kind of has to happen. It’s a tough situation. You lay hits and you know guys are going to come after you. You just have to be ready for it. You have to be able to protect yourself. That’s why we were out there giving out pointers here and there.”

Tocchet mentioned Brown and Berube as two of his cohorts back in the day.

“I was lucky, I had eight guys,” he said with a grin. “We had the toughest team in the league. It was very easy to be tough on that team. Dave Brown was my man. He was a legend. Berube. . .if you made a list, there would be a thousand guys, team-first guys, do anything for their teammates.”

As for McDonald’s overall play, Tocchet is satisfied with his progress.

“I think he’s improved with the puck,” Tocchet said. “If you look at (since) training camp, there’s a lot of growth in his game. You could see his patience with the puck. And clean hits. He makes the other team think. They’ve taken hits and we’ve capitalized on that. Good for him.”

McDonald knows he’s learning from one of the best when it comes to self-protection and physical play.

“They (Tocchet and Seeler) have been around and know how to protect themselves,” McDonald said. “We all know ‘Toc.’ When those situations arise, I hold my own. I’m very fortunate to have help in that side of the game.”

Tocchet’s physical style lives on some 40 years after his heydays.

“It’s awesome, he understands,” McDonald said. Asked if he knew of Tocchet’s reputation, McDonald responded: “I sure did. I’ve seen some videos of him, so yeah, it’s awesome.”

>Ristolainen injured again, out two weeks

Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, who just returned after missing nine games due to a left hand injury, will now miss another two weeks with basically the same problem.

“He kind of re-aggravated it and it’s in an awkward spot,” Tocchet said. “A bad luck kind of an injury.”

Cam York took part in a full practice on Monday and appears to be getting close to returning from IR.

So for the time being, rookie Oliver Bonk probably stays on the first pairing with Travis Sanheim.

“We don’t throw the whole kitchen sink at this guy,” Tocchet said of Bonk’s play on the top unit. “He’s been going against some tough matchups and first-pair minutes, late in the game, things like that.

“So we have to be careful we don’t overdue it. We’re going to have to lean on him, especially with ‘Risto’ being out.”