Golden Knights name Rocky Thompson head coach of AHL affiliate

Calgary Flames president Brian Burke talks about the Flames and their quest for a new stadium in Calgary.

The Vegas Golden Knights have named Rocky Thompson head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.

Thompson, 39, played 25 games during a brief NHL career with the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers before moving into coaching. This past season he led the Windsor Spitfires to a Memorial Cup title.

“He knows how to win,” said Wolves general manager Wendell Young in a press release. “He was a tough, hard worker when he played and those characteristics have carried over as a coach. He is meticulous in every area. Everybody I’ve talked to in the hockey world has given him rave reviews.”

Added Golden Knights general manager George McPhee: “Player development is a significant priority for our organization and he has proven to be very capable in that area.”

Thompson is a Calgary native and spent the 2014-15 season as an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers.

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