#ISLES NEWS: Brent Thompson Named @TheSoundTigers Head Coach; Pellerin Relieved of Coaching Duties - http://t.co/7No2DmtAD2
— NYIslanders (@NYIslanders) May 2, 2014
Eric Boguniecki, Doug Holewa remain.Ct Post Scott Pellerin's comments:
–Scott Pellerin:
“Obviously I want to thank the organization for the opportunity to be a head coach in the American Hockey League. The relationships you make within the organization, with players, it’s something I’m very proud of, (and of) the work ethic and style of play my team played, and showed up every night. I’m very happy with that part of my tenure there in Bridgeport.”
“I want to wish the players the best of luck in their future progress within the organization; the staff, I want to thank them for their time and hard work and wish them the best.”
–Brent Thompson:
“It’s a great experience, a great challenge. I’m really looking forward to being able to work with Bridgeport and be part of the Islanders family still, to still be involved, to know Snowy values me.”
He said this wasn’t something that had come up during the season, but afterward.
“Garth Snow basically thought I was suited for Bridgeport to develop, to help develop all the young defensemen down there, who are obviously a huge piece for the organization here. If Garth asks me to do it, I’ll do whatever he wants.”
NYIFC Comments:
Hardly a shock, seemed a matter of when.
Scott Pellerin signed a two year contract.
A year ago I would have agreed with Pellerin's dismissal due to a struggling team with NHL lockout players, and ECHL players complaing about the coach.
Pellerin's team struggled from beginning to end in 2013-14, but it did go 12-2 with a healthy team, then could not win in close to thirteen games on a team decimated with injury/callups/tryout contracts.
The issue was not coaching in 2013-14. Strome, Niederreiter, Nelson, Donovan, Ness, Sundstrom, Persson had individual success the last two years.
Is this a promotion for Brent Thompson who's special teams were among the worst in the NHL, or a demotion as opposed to his dismissal based upon his previous AHL success?
Jack Capuano went from NHL assistant to Bridgeport assistant to AHL head coach. Is this Thompson getting to work with the prospects, and being groomed as Capuano's replacement?
New York has to hire someone for Capuano's staff or promote from within.