Brent Thompson

Assistant Coach

Brent Thompson is in his second season as assistant coach of the Anaheim Ducks. He brings nearly 20 years of coaching experience, most recently serving as the head coach of the Bridgeport Islanders of the American Hockey League (AHL) the prior nine consecutive seasons. He was also the head coach in Bridgeport in 2011-12 (10 total seasons). As the head coach of the New York Islanders’ primary development affiliate, he led Bridgeport to a franchise record 328 wins (328-286-73) in 687 AHL games behind the bench. In 2022-23, Bridgeport went 34-30-8 while he led the club to a division championship in 2011-12. Thompson also served as the New York Islanders’ assistant coach in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

Under his leadership in Bridgeport, Thompson helped current NHL players develop in Bridgeport prior to their NHL careers, including Ryan Strome, Casey Cizikas, Calvin de Haan, Scott Mayfield, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock, Devon Toews, Carter Verhaeghe and Oliver Wahlstrom.

He spent two seasons as the head coach of the Alaska Aces (ECHL) from 2009-11, compiling an 83-50-11 record. He led the Aces to a Kelly Cup championship in 2011 and was named ECHL Coach of the Year (John Brophy Award) following a league-best 47-22-3 record in the regular season. Thompson began his coaching career as a player/coach with the CHL’s Colorado Eagles (2003-04) and served as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen from 2005-09.

Selected by Los Angeles in the second round (39th overall) of the 1989 NHL Draft, Thompson had a 15-year playing career as a defenseman where he played in 919 professional games, including 121 NHL contests with Los Angeles (1991-94) and Winnipeg (1994-97). He served as a captain for three AHL clubs, including Providence, Hershey and Louisville.

A native of Calgary, Alberta, Brent and his wife Kimberly have two sons who currently play for NHL clubs, Tage (Buffalo) and Tyce (New Jersey).