NHL

Tortorella has no Rangers regrets

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — John Tortorella was not there to talk about the past as he prepared to go behind the Canucks’ bench for Thursday night’s exhibition game against the Rangers.

“I’ve said right along that I loved working [in New York],” a relaxed Tortorella said during his morning press conference. “Did I want to leave? No. I was told to leave and I left. That’s part of it.

“Now I’m knee-deep with this team.”

Tortorella did not engage in recriminations. He did not reminisce. He declined to address whether he believed his dismissal was warranted following four-plus seasons as Rangers’ coach that featured a second-overall finish in the NHL and a trip to the conference finals in 2011-12, and a first-round victory last year.

“I’m not going to go back to what happened,” he said. “It happens. I wish them the best and am into it here.”

Much has been made over Tortorella’s repeated vows to change his ways in dealing with the media. Indeed, he volunteered information Thursday morning about both his lineup for the Rangers match as well injury updates, subjects that were off-limits in New York.

When The Post reporter said, “This is different,” Tortorella cautioned, “It’s the preseason … it’s the preseason.”

The coach was not fired by the Rangers because of his prickly nature at press conferences. He was ultimately dismissed because of his endlessly confrontational nature in dealing with his players.

The Rangers had also come to believe the shot-blocking, safety-conscious system he demanded had reached a point of diminishing returns.

While Tortorella said on Thursday he re-examined himself this summer as he does in every offseason, he was emphatic in stating he believes the Canucks can win by playing under the same principles he preached in New York — specifically including an emphasis on shot-blocking.

He had nothing but praise for Alain Vigneault, who has replaced him behind the Rangers’ bench after seven seasons in Vancouver and was also preparing to face his old team for the first time.

“I don’t know what Alain’s system was here, I haven’t asked any questions about it, but I do know that Alain did a hell of a job here,” Tortorella said. “He’s a very good coach and was very successful here.”

Vigneault, in meeting the media following the Blueshirts’ morning skate, said, “ ‘Strange’ would be a word I could use right now.”

“I went into the office this morning to say hi to the staff. I worked here a long time and it was special,” he said. “It was unfortunate that I didn’t get to say bye in the right way [when fired], but I was able to do that now.”

The Rangers coach said he had spoken to many of the Canucks’ players over the summer.

“I’m hoping they have success except against us,” he said. “I wish them the best.

“We said our goodbyes. They’ve moved on, as they should, and I’ve moved on.”

So has Tortorella.