The New York Islanders announced today that Brent Thompson has been named head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Thompson served as the head coach of the Alaska Aces in the ECHL the past two seasons. This past year, 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.
“Brent’s background as a player and his recent success as the head coach of the Alaska Aces makes him the perfect fit to show our young prospects what it takes to play at the NHL level,” Islanders general manager Garth Snow said.
“I’m extremely excited for the opportunity to serve as the head coach of the Sound Tigers,” Thompson said. “I look forward to working with Garth Snow, Jack Capuano and the entire Hockey Operations staff in developing the organization’s prospects into everyday NHL players.”
Prior to his two seasons with Alaska, where he compiled an overall record of 83-50-11, Thompson served as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen from 2005-09.
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. Thompson was originally a second round (39th overall) selection of the Los Angeles Kings in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.
