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NHL
Islanders Name New Assistant Coach
TL;DR
The New York Islanders have appointed Rocky Thompson as their new Assistant Coach. Thompson previously served as Head Coach for the Islanders' AHL affiliate, leading them to the playoffs last season.
Key points
- Rocky Thompson appointed as Assistant Coach of the Islanders
- Previously Head Coach of Bridgeport Islanders
- Led Bridgeport to playoffs with a 34-30-8 record
Mentioned in this story
Rocky Thompson
New York IslandersBridgeport Islanders
Islanders Name New Assistant Coach originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Islanders have added Rocky Thompson to their coaching staff.
The announcement came in the afternoon of May 5, with the Islanders naming Thompson as Assistant Coach. Thompson — who is 48 — joins the New York organization after having served the past year as Head Coach of the Islanders American Hockey League affiliate in Bridgeport. He led Bridgeport back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021-22, posting a 34-30-8 record.
He was originally named the HC of the Bridgeport Islanders on June 23, 2025, making him their 10th Head Coach in team history and this being an elevation of roles.
Prior to his time with the Islanders' AHL affiliate, Thompson spent three seasons as Assistant Coach with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Before his time with the Flyers coaching staff, Thompson spent the 2020-21 season as an Associate Coach with the San Jose Sharks under then Head Coach Bob Boughner, who is now an Assistant Coach on the Islanders staff, serving as a sort of reunion for the pair.
Rock Thompson named assistant coach of New York Islanders
Thompson was Head Coach in Chicago, the ’ AHL club, for three seasons (2017-20) — compiling a 113-71-29 record in 213 regular season games with the Wolves, including a 44-22-10 record in 2018-19 en route to the club’s Calder Cup Finals run.
Q&A
Who is the new assistant coach for the New York Islanders?
Rocky Thompson has been named the new Assistant Coach for the New York Islanders.
What was Rocky Thompson's role before joining the Islanders' coaching staff?
Before joining the Islanders, Rocky Thompson was the Head Coach of the Bridgeport Islanders, their AHL affiliate.
What was Thompson's record as Head Coach of the Bridgeport Islanders?
Rocky Thompson led the Bridgeport Islanders to a 34-30-8 record and returned the team to the playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
