The New York Islanders announced today that Brent Thompson has been named the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the upcoming 2014-15 season.
He replaces Scott Pellerin, who served in that capacity during the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.
Thompson, 43, spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach of the Islanders. In 2012-13, he helped guide the NHL club to their first winning record and first Stanley Cup Playoff appearance since the 2006-07 season.
As head coach of the Sound Tigers in 2011-12, Thompson led the Sound Tigers to a division title with a 41-26-3-6 record.
A native of Calgary, Alta., Thompson served as head coach of the Alaska Aces of the ECHL in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons, compiling 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.
Prior to his time with Alaska, 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. During his 15-year career, the 6-foot-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.
