EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: How Rocky Thompson Is Driving A Culture Shift In Bridgeport
Exclusive interview with Bridgeport Islanders head coach Rocky Thompson on culture, accountability, development, and preparing players for the NHL.
This summer, New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche put his faith in Rocky Thompson to revamp the culture and identity of the Bridgeport Islanders.
During Thompson’s first media availability, he said, “We’re not gonna be the punching bags anymore.”
While Bridgeport has struggled record-wise, sitting last in the Atlantic Division with a 11-14-2-1, the culture has changed drastically, with prospects taking two steps forward after we saw many take a few steps back over the last few seasons.
In a wide-ranging conversation, Thompson breaks down Bridgeport’s identity, how growth actually happens at the AHL level, and why teaching, structure, and internal competition matter just as much as results. He also explains how closely Bridgeport mirrors the Islanders’ NHL system, the balance between patience and accountability, and what success truly looks like in a development league.
It’s an honest look at how Bridgeport is being built — not just to win games, but to prepare players for what comes next.