From the beginning, Daniel Carr knew he was going to like enjoying for Rocky Thompson.
“You possibly can see the Northern Alberta in him the place he is acquired no time for delicate,” mentioned Carr, the MVP of the American Hockey League this season. “First recreation I used to be right here, Rocky mentioned one thing and I used to be like, ‘OK. That is going to be good.'”
And, boy, have the Chicago Wolves been good since Thompson was named head coach in 2017.
Again-to-back division titles and 86 victories in 152 video games. And now a berth within the Calder Cup Finals towards the Charlotte Checkers. Sport 1 is Saturday in Charlotte.
NO TIME FOR SOFT.
It so completely sums up Thompson — the respectful, tame, button-down coach who was something however these issues rising up in Canada.
Thompson started wrestling at 9 and boxing at 14. He was so good that — even whereas additionally honing his expertise as a hockey participant — Thompson gained the Alberta Golden Gloves, the Saskatchewan Golden Gloves, the Alberta Provincials and far more.
Admittedly a step sluggish on the ice, Thompson used these expertise to impress hockey coaches and rapidly moved up the ranks. He was drafted within the third spherical by Calgary at 17 and performed 12 video games for them at age 20, however Thompson’s profession was largely spent within the AHL the place he racked up an eye-popping 2,012 penalty minutes in 605 video games.
‘Woke lots of people up’
After closing out his enjoying profession with the Peoria Rivermen in 2007, Thompson lower his enamel as an assistant within the Western Hockey League and within the AHL in Oklahoma.
Dallas Eakins then made Thompson one in all his assistants with Edmonton in 2014, however the Oilers went 24-44-14 and the whole teaching workers was dumped. Everybody count on Thompson, that’s.
Instantly in an odd type of employment limbo — as a result of, in any case, who knew if the brand new workers would wish to preserve him round — Thompson determined to stay his neck out at that summer season’s teaching symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
“I phoned George Kingston, who ran it on the time, and I requested him if I could possibly be a presenter,” Thompson mentioned. “And he mentioned, ‘Yeah. For certain.’
“They’re at all times on the lookout for individuals to do displays. Not lots of people wish to do it since you’re sharing your individual stuff with everybody. Individuals are guarded and a few individuals are simply intimidated.”
However not Thompson. He figured he had nothing to lose and went for it.
Thompson, who had 20 targets as a professional, selected to talk about offensive zone schemes. His discuss — in entrance of a packed room that included everybody from Scotty Bowman to Mike Babcock — was the primary one of many day.
Stated Thompson: “They have been pondering, ‘What within the spherical world is Rocky Thompson going to speak about? Offensive zone and ways of all issues!’ They informed me they thought it was going to be a practice wreck.”
However guess what? He completely killed it.
“Individuals discovered quite a lot of usefulness out of that presentation — professional and newbie alike,” Thompson mentioned. “That is why I used to be so proud about that presentation. Its simplicity could possibly be utilized at any age stage.”
Stated Wolves GM Wendell Younger: “Abruptly they’re blown away by this articulate man that ran an unbelievable presentation. … It woke lots of people up.”
You are employed!
A job provide got here solely moments after Thompson was finished talking.
“Bob Boughner got here as much as me and mentioned, ‘How would you prefer to be the top coach of the Windsor Spitfires?’ ” Thompson mentioned. “I began laughing as a result of I knew ‘Boogie’ and I am like, ‘Effectively, YOU’RE the top coach of the Windsor Spitfires. What are you speaking about?'”
Turned out Boughner, who additionally owned the staff, was leaving to take a job within the NHL, and he needed to interview Thompson for the soon-to-be vacant place. After speaking with Boughner and normal supervisor Warren Rychel, Thompson accepted the job and finally led Windsor to a Memorial Cup championship in 2017.
“I am very grateful to them to offer me that first alternative as a head coach,” Thompson mentioned. “They constructed a superb staff.”
Hungry as a Wolf
What Thompson has finished throughout his two years in Chicago is nothing in need of exceptional.
Final season, he walked right into a scenario the place he was teaching two franchise’s prospects without delay. That is as a result of the AHL did not increase to 31 groups when the NHL did, so the Wolves have been carrying St. Louis’ and Vegas’ gamers.
After incomes everybody’s belief, the Wolves clawed their approach out of the cellar and racked up 80 factors of their final 55 video games to assert a Central Division title.
This season, the Wolves have been pounded with accidents, noticed main scorer Brandon Pirri get promoted to the Golden Knights and misplaced key gamers on the NHL commerce deadline.
None of it mattered. They simply stored profitable.
“I actually like Rocky — and I actually imply that,” mentioned Carr, who led the Wolves with 30 targets and has 100 video games of NHL expertise. “He is very intense in the course of the video games. However for those who communicate to him 1-on-1 or if he comes within the dressing room between intervals, he is a really poised man.
“And that goes a great distance as a result of quite a lot of coaches get on a curler coaster. He actually does not. That is one motive we have been in a position to have quite a lot of success this yr.”
One more reason is as a result of Thompson understands methods to be a participant’s coach whereas additionally delivering harsh, chilly actuality when wanted.
“I would undergo a wall for this man any day,” mentioned Keegan Kolesar, who took Thompson’s shoot-first recommendation to coronary heart and scored 13 targets within the season’s closing 32 video games. “He is helped me a lot in my profession thus far.”
NHL sure?
Making changes at any stage of teaching is vital to 1’s success. Spot an opponent’s development and adapt. Transfer a third-line man as much as the primary line as a result of he is on fireplace. Tweak the ability play. Change the goalie.
Do no matter it takes to achieve that little little bit of benefit.
It is this “chess match” a part of the sport that Thompson completely loves.
“That is the place the onerous work is available in,” he mentioned. “It is behind the scenes when no one’s watching.”
So Thompson watches hours of recreation tape. And when he finds a weak point or an inclination, he pounces and goes for the throat — identical to he did within the ring or on the mat.
“Boxing’s referred to as the candy science for a motive,” Thompson mentioned. “It is a tactical sport. Though it is violent and it is aggressive, it is tactical. With wrestling, it is the identical factor.
“As a hockey participant, I needed to be tactical as a result of I could not depend on my talents as a skater. I needed to intimidate and I needed to learn performs very well as a result of I needed to be a bit bit additional forward in my thoughts than I could possibly be with my legs as a result of I could not react.
“It teaches you to assume forward. So I apply that to the best way I coach, too.”
With virtually no NHL teaching vacancies, it is a close to certainty Thompson shall be again with the Wolves subsequent season.
Down the highway, although, he figures to punch his ticket to the large time.
“He’ll finally coach within the NHL,” Younger mentioned. “I discuss to lots of people across the recreation, particularly within the administration part. He garners quite a lot of respect.
“Professional hockey individuals know who Rocky Thompson is now. It can take time, however it is going to occur.”
