In January, Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella and Nashville Predators head coach Peter Laviolette were deadlocked in a quest to become the first American-born coach to record 600 wins in the National Hockey League.

Did either think much about the impending milestone?

“Quite honestly,” Tortorella said, “I didn’t even know the number.”

Coach Laviolette? “No, I think it was more [focused on by] the media.”

While they may not have spent much time pondering numbers, Tortorella ultimately reached the 600-win mark first when the Blue Jackets recorded a 4-3 win in overtime over the Predators on Jan. 10, 2019. Laviolette had to wait a few more games to reach his milestone. His day came on Jan. 21, when his Predators rolled to a 4-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche. No other active American-born coach is close to catching up; Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan is the closest and nearing 250 victories.

While the immediate focus for both coaches is on preparing for the next game, becoming the winningest American coaches in NHL history did encourage reflection on their careers to date.

“I’m pretty fortunate to have had the opportunity that I've had,” Laviolette said. “It's truly been an unbelievable ride.”

For him, the milestone was an opportunity to remember the people with whom he has worked over the course of his career.