Torchetti started his professional career as a member of the Carolina Thunderbirds, where he would spend seven of his eight seasons. Torchetti led the All-American Hockey League (AAHL) in goals (63), assists (71), and points (134) during the 1987–88 AAHL season. He would have a brief call-up with the Binghamton Whalers of the American Hockey League at the start of the 1988–89 season, but returned to Carolina, which had since helped found the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL), after ten games.