After 5 years and much success, then recent failure and unmet expectations, the NY Rangers have fired head coach John Tortorella this afternoon.

Tortorella took over for Tom Renny late in 2009 and got the Rangers to the playoffs. they missed the post season the following season but then made the post season the last 3 years of Tortorella's reign. The frisky, even sometimes feisty, even prickly Tortorella got the Rangers to the eastern conference finals last season, eventually losing in a game 7 against the NJ Devils in overtime.

Tortorella is 1 of the few head coaches who can claim a Stanley Cup as a head coach. He led the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Cup championship in 2003/2004, beating the Calgary Flames in the finals to claim the title for Tampa.

Tortorella had an interesting relationship with the media. he didn't tolerate stupid questions but at times he could be hostile, like going after Rangers play by play announcer Sam Rosen earlier this season. However his interviews were never boring and never cliche filled like so many coaches pressers are.

The Rangers came into this season filled with high expectations especially after acquiring Rick Nash from Columbus. However the same issues that plagued the Rangers in 2012 popped up again. Struggled to score goals and the power play was brutal, especially in the playoffs when they scored just 3 goals with the man advantage..

Tortorella finished with a record of 171-115-29 in this stint with the Rangers. he also coached 4 games for the Rangers way back in 1999-2000, taking over the last 4 games of the year after relieving John Muckler as head coach.

Torts as he was known then took over the Tampa Bay club. In his 4th year he led the Lightning to the Cup. he lasted 3 more years in Tampa, losing in the 1st round twice and missing the playoffs his final season.

More From 104.5 THE TEAM