Thompson Takes Charge at Isles Development Camp
Jun 30, 2025
One week after Bridgeport Islanders Head Coach Rocky Thompson took the job, he’s ready to dive right into his first major assignment, running New York Islanders' development camp in East Meadow, N.Y. this week.
“All these kids can skate like the wind, they can shoot 100 miles an hour, we want to get some of the finer details that many be holding them back from taking another step in their game,” Thompson said.
Full Development Camp Roster
Thompson became the 10th head coach in Bridgeport’s history on June 23 and brings a coaching resume that includes serving the past three seasons as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Flyers, a Memorial Cup Championship with the Windsor Spitfires in 2017, and an appearance in the Calder Cup Finals with the Chicago Wolves in 2019. He’s picked up a lot and developed his coaching style along the way, which he’ll bring into his Bridgeport position. He describes himself as a demanding coach who wants his players – from rookies to veterans – to earn opportunities.
“You’re going to see it when we get into Bridgeport, you’re going to see the things I used to do in the past when I was with the Wolves and the Spitfires and you’re going to see the things that I’ve improved upon as well,” Thompson said. “Maybe things that you don’t always see during the game, but things that are behind the scenes, practices and stuff like that.”
Before his coaching days, Thompson was a rugged enforcer who fondly remembers his own draft day back in 1995. Thompson, a Native American, said a lot of family members from the reservation as well as friends came to support him on his draft day. The Thompson crowd created an electric environment for when he was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the third round, a team he was a fan of growing up.
“My family went crazy because they were all there, so they were hooting and hollering,” Thompson said. “It’s one of those things you dream about as a kid and then to have it happen, it was very special.”
Thompson can resonate with the nine players that were selected by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft with the whirlwind of excitement that marks a milestone in their careers. He’s excited for the new class and gave them the simple advice to enjoy the moment of their draft day before they take their next step of reporting to Islanders development camp.
“Just enjoy it,” Thompson said. “At the end of the day, it’s just a day and it’s an opportunity that you’ll have to earn in order to get to that next level. It’s another step in your journey in becoming an NHL player.”
The work on the ice starts Monday, where the newest Isles prospects – including first rounders Matthew Schaefer, Victor Eklund and Kashawn Aitcheson - will blend with the other prospects in the system. Thompson will work with prospects alongside Islanders development staff, skating and skills coaches. Thompson doesn’t view development camp as an evaluation period for the mix of prospects. Instead, his focus is to foster an environment for the players to get comfortable with each other and the organization, build relationships and sharpen on-ice skills.
“It’s an opportunity to get to know these guys and start forging relationships. Some of these guys will be going back to college, back to junior,” Thompson said. “Some of them may even end up on our team in Bridgeport. That’s an opportunity for me to get a close-up look at them as hockey players but also starting to break the ice with the communication.”
Thompson is looking ahead to his first season as Bridgeport’s bench boss and has a great friend and mentor in Brent Thompson, who happens to hold the accolade as the franchise’s longest-tenured coach, holding the position for 10 seasons (2011-2023).
Their pro playing days crossed paths and Brent coached Rocky on the Peoria Rivermen for two seasons from 2005-07. Flash forward to when Rocky entered the Bridgeport bench boss position, Brent gave Rocky a lot to look forward to.
“Brent and I are really close, we’re like brothers, and I remember for all those years Tommer had nothing but great things to say about the time he spent in Bridgeport,” Thompson said. “The opportunity to be a part of this organization and to experience it myself with the Islanders down there and with how the community is, it’s a blessing and I’m looking forward to getting involved.”