The Vegas Golden Knights have named Rocky Thompson head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.
Thompson, 39, spent the last two seasons as head coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires, winning the Memorial Cup championship in 2017. Thompson guided Windsor to a combined record of 81-40-15 in his two seasons.
Before joining Windsor, Thompson spent five years in the Edmonton Oilers organization as an assistant coach with their AHL affiliate in Oklahoma City (2010-14) and then with the Oilers (2014-15). With the Barons, Thompson helped the team advance to the Calder Cup Playoffs in all four seasons, including trips to the Western Conference Finals in 2012 and 2013.
Thompson was also an assistant with the Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) from 2007-10.
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, the Calgary, Alta., native played 10 seasons of professional hockey, including 566 games in the AHL with the Saint John Flames, Louisville Panthers, Hershey Bears, San Antonio Rampage, Toronto Roadrunners, Edmonton Road Runners and Peoria Rivermen. His 1,919 penalty minutes rank 10th all-time.
The Calgary Flames drafted Thompson in the third round of the 1995 NHL Draft and he appeared in 25 NHL games with Calgary and Florida.
