GLENDALE, ARIZONA - Arizona Coyotes President of Hockey Operations and General Manager John Chayka announced today that Head Coach Rick Tocchet has been granted a leave of absence from the team to deal with a family illness. Assistant Coach John MacLean will assume the Coyotes' head coaching responsibilities until Tocchet returns.

"Family comes first," Chayka said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Toc as he deals with this personal matter. It's important that he takes the time to be there with his family."