Thompson, along with the recently hired Brad Shaw as associate coach, will join head coach John Tortorella's staff behind the bench.
"Rocky is an important addition to our staff and we are excited to start working with him," said Tortorella. "He has a sharp mind and eye for the game but from the first time we sat down to speak it was clear that he brings enthusiasm and a high-level of energy needed for this job. His communication skills are going to be vital to our locker room."
Thompson, 44 (8/8/1977), joins the Flyers after spending the 2020-21 season as an associate coach for the San Jose Sharks under Bob Boughner's staff.
Prior to joining the Sharks, Thompson was the head coach of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League for three seasons from 2017-20. He compiled a 113-71-29 record in 213 regular season games and a 12-13 mark in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
He had his best season behind the bench in 2018-19, when he went 44-22-10 in the regular season and led the Wolves to the Calder Cup Finals.
Thompson also served as an assistant coach in the Edmonton Oilers organization for five seasons. He spent four seasons with the club's AHL affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons, from 2010-14 before moving on the following season to the Oilers in 2014-15.
Thompson earned his first head coaching position in the Ontario Hockey League with the Windsor Spitfires from 2015-17. He recorded a mark of 81-40-15 in 136 games.
A native of Calgary, Alberta, Thompson played 10 seasons of professional hockey, which included 25 games in the National Hockey League with the Flames (1997-99) and Florida Panthers (2000-02).
He is a veteran of 566 games over parts of 10 seasons in the AHL with the Saint John Flames (1995-00), Louisville Panthers (1999-01), Hershey Bears (2001-02), San Antonio Rampage (2002-03), Toronto Roadrunners (2003-04), Edmonton Roadrunners (2004-05) and Peoria Rivermen (2005-07).
Thompson was drafted by the Flames in the third round (72nd overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.
