On Monday, the New York Islanders announced the hiring of Rocky Thompson as the next head coach of the Bridgeport Islanders.
Thompson has spent a considerable amount of time behind the bench of several NHL teams, most recently with the Philadelphia Flyers under John Tortorella.
Islanders Hire Coach Rocky Thompson to Lead Bridgeport Amid Crucial Prospect Development PhaseOn Monday, the New York Islanders announced that they have hired Rocky Thompson to serve as Bridgeport's head coach.
New general manager Mathieu Darche made it clear during his introductory press conference that he values the minor league teams immensely and understands the important role they play in the overall success of the franchise.
So, why did Darche settle on Thompson?
“Rocky, he’s had various experiences, right? He’s won a Memorial Cup, so, coaching young players. He’s gone to the Calder Cup finals with Chicago. He’s coaching in the NHL, so he has a wide range and he’s a great, great communicator,” Darche said during his pre-NHL Draft presser on Tuesday morning. “When we had interviews with him, we’ve done Zoom, and on the phone, his communication and people skills are extremely strong, which I think is a huge asset in the AHL because you’re coaching young men that want to play in the NHL, and it’s a process.
“Obviously, every player that turns pro, they’ve been the best player in their league, and now sometimes they face adversity. You realize the pro game is a different level. You might be a top player in juniors or in college. The pro game is a different level. It’s a different animal. So players will have adversity, and I think his communication skills are going to be a huge asset to work with those kids. And he’s had success coaching younger men in the AHL and juniors, so I like that aspect of the development of the players.”
What has been absent from Bridgeport for the last two seasons is a winning culture, and Darche is actively trying to fix it.
“I want to develop a winning environment. Does it mean winning the Calder Cup every year? No, because the reality of it is you have injuries in the NHL,” Darche said. “ I always joke with Rocky, the AHL is probably the toughest league to coach in because you’re affected by your injuries. You’re affected by the parent club’s injuries. When the Islanders sneeze, well, you catch a cold, too. It’s your top player going, depending on the role, so you’re affected by it. But that’s why you need someone who’s able to communicate and move those guys forward. It’s not going to be about every young guy, it doesn’t matter how they play if they get an opportunity to play.
“They’ve got to earn their ice time in the minors, too. That’s the mindset I want the players to have. That’s the culture we want to have. Like to use an expression, you eat what you kill. So I think Rocky will do a great job for that. And right now we’re working through hiring a couple of assistant coaches, hopefully in the next few days.”
It’s clear that Darche is preparing for the next wave of Islanders prospects. When Cole Eiserman, Danny Nelson, Quinn Finley, and Kamil Bednarik are ready to turn pro from college, Bridgeport needs to be a place where they can go and develop.
A successful AHL team, in terms of development, could be the difference between a prospect going back to college or joining the organization after just one season. The coach plays a vital role in that, too.
Just look at the college scene, with a guy like Boston University’s Jay Pandolfo and David Carle out of Denver. Players want to play for them, and that’s enticing.
With Bridgeport's struggles in recent years, again, someone who has not only coached in juniors, the AHL, and the NHL, but has also found success, is the perfect start to turning the page in Bridgeport on what Darche hopes to be a new era.
Bringing prospects and even fringe NHL players into a competitive environment is key for an AHL team.
For prospects, they get an early taste of what it’s going to be like to fight for every inch of ice, for every shift they get, for every win their team has. Therefore, when the time with the big club comes, they are more than prepared. For those who may not currently be NHL players, it’s about maintaining a competitive mentality and learning the proper methods to return to the NHL level.
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Joseph LaChase contributed to this story.