Brent Thompson Added to Islanders Staff
June 27, 2012
The
New York Islanders announced today that former Peoria Rivermen assistant coach Brent Thompson has been named an
assistant coach with the club. This will be Thompson’s first season behind a
National Hockey League bench.
Thompson, 41, joined the Rivermen as an assistant coach prior to their first
season in the American Hockey League (2005-06).
In his four seasons with the club he worked under Steve Pleau, Dave
Baseggio and Davis Payne.
A
native of Calgary, AB, Thompson departed Peoria to become the head coach of the
Alaska Aces of the ECHL in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, and compiled a
record of 83-50-11. In his final season with Alaska, he led the Aces to a
league-best 47-22-0-3 record and the club’s second Kelly Cup Championship in
team history. Thompson also won the John Brophy Award as the ECHL Coach of the
Year.
Thompson
served as the Head Coach of the Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate,
the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, in the 2011-12 season. He led the Sound Tigers to
their first division championship in 10 years with a 41-26-3-6 record.
“Brent did a great job in Bridgeport last year molding our young prospects into
a division-winning team,” said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow. “With his
coaching experience and defensive expertise, we’re excited for him to join our
coaching staff.”
Thompson entered the coaching ranks following a 15-year playing career, which
concluded in 2005 with the Providence Bruins of the AHL. During his 15-year
career, the 6’2” 210-pound defenseman appeared in over 900 professional games
including 121 NHL contests. The Los Angeles Kings selected Thompson in the
second round (39th overall) of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.
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