The New York Islanders have made a savvy move by promoting Rocky Thompson to an assistant coaching role on Peter DeBoer's NHL staff, rewarding the AHL bench boss for orchestrating a remarkable turnaround with the Bridgeport Islanders.

Thompson faced a daunting challenge when he took over Bridgeport after a disastrous 2024-25 season, where the team managed just 15 wins—only four of which came on home ice. But Thompson didn't just improve the club; he transformed its culture entirely. Under his guidance, the Islanders' AHL affiliate posted the fourth-best record in the Atlantic Division, with a young roster making significant strides as the season progressed.

"He's a brilliant coach, he's so smart with his structure," veteran forward Chris Terry said after the team secured a home playoff game—the last one in Bridgeport before the franchise moves to Hamilton, Ontario.

The promotion keeps Thompson within the organization, preventing him from being poached by another team. That's a wise precaution, especially after the Hartford Wolf Pack recently fired Grant Potulny and are searching for a coach to clean up their mess—a challenge Thompson already conquered with their Connecticut rival.

Thompson isn't the type of coach who wins with complex X's and O's or a rigid system. Instead, he's a player's coach who gets his teams to perform above expectations. With the Islanders navigating a youth movement—whether they're retooling, contending, or trying to do both simultaneously—having Thompson on staff is a major asset. DeBoer will handle the systems; Thompson will handle the heart.