Stockton Thunder’s New Assistant Coach

STOCKTON, Ca – For the first time in Stockton Thunder history, an Assistant Coach has been selected to work with Coach Chris Cichocki.   Tim O’Connell, a two-year veteran of the Thunder has been on the job since summer and has experienced the first ten games of the season in a suit and tie behind the bench, instead of on skates on the ice.

 
Tim O’Connell is a native of Grand Forks, North Dakota and played in 546 career games as a defenseman with stops in Roanoke, Florida and Stockton of the ECHL, Syracuse, Rochester and Norfolk of the AHL and Elmira and Missouri of the UHL.   He posted a 451 consecutive games streak, which ended after the 2007-08 season with the Stockton Thunder.   He was also awarded the “Ironman Award” in 2006-07 by the Professional Hockey Player’s Association.
 
O’Connell has been recognized for his leadership qualities on the ice, as well as his defensive abilities throughout his career.   He helped to guide the Florida Everblades to back-to-back Kelly Cup Finals in 2004-05 and made two straight appearances in the Kelly Cup Playoffs of 2007-08 as an alternate captain on the Thunder.   O’Connell finished his eight-year professional career with 227 points (64g-163a) and 856 penalty minutes.
 
The move appears to be a good fit, since O’Connell played defense for Cichocki for the past two years and has a keen understanding of the teams’ expectations, not to mention his proven leadership skills on the ice.
 
Cichocki said O’Connell is the “perfect fit” for the job. Though others were considered, O’Connell brings defensive experience.   This will match well, since Cichocki played as a forward and was looking for someone to concentrate on the overall defense for the team. The mutual respect was already there and General Manager Dan Chapman agreed.
 
“I was pretty excited when the offer came.   I had stayed in town for shoulder surgery over the summer, so it wasn’t much of a change as far as moving arrangements,” said O’Connell of the initial offer.
 
O’Connell has jumped in with both feet, already assuming many responsibilities from Cichocki, allowing Cichocki to concentrate on other things. O’Connell says he’s now expected to work more with the guys on the defense and penalty kill. After only 10 games the Thunder ranks 6^th in Penalty-Kill at 85.9 percent.   This is already quite an improvement over last year, when they finished in last place overall.
 
O’Connell has also taken over coordinating player needs off the ice as well, keeping him very busy.  
 
“Before, when I was playing, I’d report for practice, then when finished go take a nap or play golf.   Now, my day is pretty hectic.”   O’Connell now puts in a full day at the office, planning, coordinating and reviewing.   “It’s a lot different now, but it’s been a good experience.”
 
O’Connell’s first coaching experience was different than he expected.   “I can’t say that I don’t miss playing. But I feel comfortable that I’ve moved on. I like getting to teach the guys. I’m in an entirely different role now. I feel good about moving to this level.”
 
O’Connell received some training and advice from the upper affiliate management in the pre-season at the Edmonton Oilers rookie camp. He had opportunities to sit down with many of the seasoned coaches at the NHL and AHL level. He had known some of them as a player, prior to accepting the position. The list included the Oiler’s Head Coach Craig MacTavish and assistant coaches Charlie Huddy and Kelly Buckberger and also Springfield Falcon’s assistant coach Gerry Fleming.  
 
“They gave me some good tips.   I was really impressed with how they accepted me and helped me to get prepared. I feel good about this organization.”   O’Connell said that he appreciated the fact “they really take an interest in what we do out here.”
 
As far as other influences on his style, O’Connell says “I take most of that from past coaches.   As a player, I had good coaches that taught us everyday how to win.   That’s what I want to do.”   His experiences with past coaches in College at North Dakota and over the last eight hears of his professional career has left a lasting impression on him helping him to develop his own style.
 
O’Connell’s going to be a little cautious for now. “This year, I just want to take it all in and evaluate it as I go.   Hopefully things go well for the team and me.”
 
If O’Connell decides he wants to work his way up in the Professional Coaching realm of Hockey, he’s on the right track.   There are currently three head coaches and 18 assistant coaches in the NHL who were players or coaches in the ECHL.
By: Shellie Lima
shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com
Photos by: Jack Lima
jack.lima@prohockeynews.com