AHL Peoria Rivermen

Brent Thompson Named to Islanders Staff

Published on June 27, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Peoria Rivermen News Release


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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