"If you want to have fun, go to Disneyland": Canucks HC Rick Tocchet echoes NFL legend Tom Brady's take on competing

Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet recently echoed NFL legend Tom Brady's infamous quote when discussing his team's struggles this season.

The Canucks currently have a record of 20-16-10 and sit outside a Western Conference wild card playoff spot. They have won just three of their last 10 games, prompting Tocchet to call out his team's lackluster effort and intensity during Wednesday's practice.

When asked about the team's poor play as of late, Tocchet referenced Brady's Disneyland quip, saying:

"Well, what did Tom Brady say, if you want to have fun, go to Disneyland, winning is fun. Competing is fun. You know,listen, if you compete and you lose and you're competing and you're part of the process.”

“Yeah, you should smile and feel good about yourself, but I'm not sure we're happy with the process. That's why you got some frowns and people not aren't happy. You shouldn't be happy. And I do. I love that line, go to Disneyland if you want to have fun. ”

Tocchet acknowledged that winning is the priority but emphasized the need to focus on the process, admitting they haven’t been happy with it and calling the season a “roller coaster”.

The timing of Tocchet's message is particularly relevant as the Canucks prepare to face the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.

Their previous matchup, a 3-2 Canucks victory, ended in controversy when Connor McDavid earned a three-game suspension for cross-checking Conor Garland in retaliation for being held in the game's closing moments.

Rick Tocchet's take on Canucks' captain Quinn Hughes

When asked if some players defer too much to Canucks' captain Quinn Hughes, Rick Tocchet dismissed that notion, saying:

"You don’t stop playing because you play with a great player. That’s asinine. You want to use that great player to your advantage."

Tocchet wants his team to fully utilize Hughes' immense talent. However, he believes Hughes tried doing too much on his own in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Buffalo.

"I thought last night he did (try to do too much). I think for the most part he’s had an unreal year, he’s been great. I thought last night was too much ‘I want to put the team on my back’ and we had a talk today," Rick Tocchet remarked.

While Hughes' desire to swing games is admirable, Tocchet warned he must avoid trying to do it all himself.