Our coaching staff is complete. Gavin Morgan will be the lead assistant, and Matty Thomas is joining the program:
Following two seasons working with the illustrious University of Denver hockey program, Thomas joined the Chargers in the summer of 2013 to work with the UAH defensemen and penalty kill this upcoming season.
Thomas served as the volunteer assistant coach for the seven-time NCAA champion Denver Pioneers from 2011 to 2013, appearing in the national tournament in both of his seasons. While at Denver, he contributed in numerous aspects within the program; including video, practice planning and individual on-ice instruction. Prior to his arrival in Denver, Thomas served as assistant coach with the United States Naval Academy hockey program (ACHA) from 2009 to 2011.
A 2005 graduate of the Naval Academy, Thomas was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. He then completed three wartime deployments during tours aboard USS MONTEREY (CG 61) and USS ELROD (FFG 55), serving as Tomahawk Strike Officer and Damage Control Assistant, respectively. During his final tour of duty at Military Sealift Command Headquarters in Washington D.C., Thomas rejoined Navy hockey as an assistant coach. While there, he was responsible for recruiting, video coordination, special-teams strategies, classroom sessions, team-building development and off-ice conditioning.
I missed Matty when I went to the hockey office earlier this week, but I can tell you that everyone’s excited to have him. I’ve also spoken with some DU fans who speak very highly of him.