Stockton Thunder Announce New Head Coach – Matt Thomas

STOCKTON, Ca – On Monday, Dan Chapman, President of the Stockton Thunder announced the termination of their first coach Chris Cichocki.   At a formal press

conference on Tuesday, former Fresno Falcons head coach Matt Thomas was introduced as his replacement, effective immediately. Chapman addressed fans and press, “It’s going to be an exciting New Year for the Stockton Thunder. We are thrilled and excited to have him. Matt Thomas has an impressive resume” and will be a great addition to the organization. Last week, the Fresno Falcons ceased operations citing financial reasons, leaving coaching staff and players without a team.   Once a major rival of the Thunder, their demise could be a first step towards finishing the season on top. The Stockton Thunder (10-17-2-2, 24 pts) has been on a downhill slide during the first part of the season, and has been win-less over their last five games.  The 33-year old, Matt Thomas is originally from Mississauga, Ontario.   He began his professional coaching career as an assistant coach with the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies, in 2002-03, the same year he helped lead the team to win the Kelly Cup. He became the head coach in 2004-05 for Atlantic City, and then moved to the Fresno Falcons in 2005-06 where he remained head coach until their termination last week.   As head coach, he had three seasons of greater than 92 points and an overall win percentage of .636.    In all of his coaching years, he led his team to a playoff berth.   When Fresno ceased operations last week, they were in first place in the Pacific Division with 38 points. “This is bittersweet,” says Thomas of this opportunity, “Chris [Cichocki] is a great friend and great coach. But it just doesn’t always go the way you want it to go. It is a sad day for the coaching fraternity.”
 
“This last week has been the most exhausting of my life,” says Thomas of the changes.   Usually during the Christmas break, one can relax and take their mind off the game for a few days. Since the end of the Falcons last week and today, he went through many emotions personally.
“Naturally, I ran the gambit of emotions; sadness, anger, frustration, since I was confident we had a team that could potentially win the championship.”  
 
Thomas said the reality of the Falcons demise “really sank in on Friday night, when all the other teams were playing and we weren’t.   I saw some of my former players in box scores on other teams.” Thomas added, “Now a week later I’m back on top of the world.”
 
During the time of his deepest frustration, Thomas said his dad gave him the best advice, “Amidst the chaos, there’s a door that’s going to open and there’s going to be a silver lining. You can’t get buried in the chaos.”   Thomas said that really helped him deal with the changes he was experiencing.
 
But he’s very excited about his new prospects.   This morning, Thomas led the team in their first practice together. In his comments to the fans in attendance at the press conference, “It’s time to turn the page. It’s important for us to get off on the right foot. We are going to be a team based around skill, toughness and goal tending.   I’m confident we can win.   We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us and it’s going to be a fun ride.”  
 
Additionally, the Thunder has added Fresno’s former assistant coach, Ryan Mougenel. Mougenel, 32, was in his fourth year as assistant coach with the Falcons. Prior to his coaching career, he played professionally for six seasons, including a total of 115 games in the International and American hockey leagues.   He retired as a player following the 2002-03 season, in which he was part of the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies Kelly Cup Championship squad.   Mougenel will join current assistant coach Tim O’Connell as part of the management team.
 
In addition to the management changes, the Stockton Thunder have acquired five of the former Fresno Falcons players; Matt O’Dette (D, 2g, 3a), Kenny MacAulay (D, 3g, 14a), Igor Gongalsky (LW, 6g, 6g), Daryl Marcoux (D, 1g, 6a), and Judd Blackwater (C, 4g, 8a).    The addition of these strong players will boost the overall value of the team.  
 
Matt Thomas introduced these newest additions to the Thunder.
 
“O’Dette brings strong, tough defense, and a scoring ability. He’s been an anchor on the Fresno team and hopefully will bring that to this team.”
 
“MacAulay was Captain on the Fresno team, and is arguably one of the best defensemen in the league. He plays the game physically, at both ends of the ice.”  
 
“Gongalsky was an all-star last year and is tough to contain. He is a great all-around player with a lot of passion for the game.”
 
“Marcoux was the plus/minus points leader last year. He’s a guy that plays that game hard every night.”
 
“Blackwater, won the memorial cup last year as a member of Spokane chiefs. He’s a skilled player, and getting better and better every time he plays.”
 
Meshing this group with the talent already on the Thunder will only enhance their winning abilities. This announcement means there will be some additional player roster movement pending.
 
Matt O’Dette shared “We are excited to join a great organization with great fans in a building we enjoyed playing on the road.” Speaking of Thomas and Mougenel, “you are getting two guys that are prepared.   They have a real care for the players and want the guys to do well and move up.   And along with that comes winning.”   He added, “We’re happy to be here, it’s an exciting time.”
 
Coach Matt Thomas promised the fans that this team will show-up every night. “I coach one way – and that’s to win.   I want to see the players succeed. I like to be a teacher, communicator and a guy that gets his players to play hard every night.”  
 
The Stockton Thunder plays the Alaska Aces at Sullivan Arena on Dec 31^st and has four more road games before their next home game on January 16^th. Written by: Shellie Lima shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com
Photos by: Jack Lima jack.lima@prohockeynews.com