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A Game Day In The
Life of Alaska Coach
Brent Thompson

July 26, 2010

By Michael Pernal
ECHL Communications Intern

Brent Thompson, head coach of the Alaska Aces, was kind enough to share an approximation of his daily schedule on an average game day during the ECHL season.

6:00 a.m. Coach Thompson's wake up time. He gets ready for his work day just as any average person would do.

7:30 a.m. "I like to be at the rink by 7:30 am," Thompson said. During this time, he is accomplishing video preparations, which usually includes reviewing the tape of the previous game and reviewing tape of the team the Aces will be playing that night. After reviewing video, Thompson holds pre-game meetings with players and assistant coaches, going over special teams and other strategy for the night's game.

10:00 a.m. The pre-game skate occurs. It lasts about twenty to thirty minutes, and according to Thompson, "it's all about getting the players in the right mindset for the game later that night."

10:30 a.m. After the pre-game skate, Thompson prepares the play-board for use in the game that night, in addition to filling out necessary paperwork. According to Thompson, a coach on the ECHL level is much more involved with the management of the team, which means the salary cap, budgets and paperwork, than coaches of teams at higher levels of hockey.

12:30 p.m. This is the time of day where Thompson gets some down-time. Depending on whether the Aces are at home or on the road will lead to what he will do. Lunch and an exercise workout are usually included.

3:30 p.m. Thompson is back at the rink for the night's game. He is reviewing the video, play-board and overall game plan for the night's game. "I like to prepare my guys so that there are never any excuses that they weren't prepared enough for what they would see in the game that night," said Thompson.

5:30 p.m. Thompson conducts his pre-game meeting with the entire team. The overall game plan and strategy is laid out for the team.

7:00 p.m. Thompson assumes his role behind the bench as the opening puck is dropped.

1st Intermission: Adjustments and tweaks are made to the game plan and strategy depending upon what happened during the first period.

2nd Intermission: More adjustments and tweaks are made after the second period so the team can be successful in the third period.

10:00 p.m. After the game ends, Thompson will talk with his assistant coaches about what worked well and what didn't in the game, and they outline the team's objectives for the next day. He also will break down the video of the game so that it can be used as a coaching tool the next day.

1:00 a.m. Thompson is either back at home, or back at the hotel if the team is on the road. "I usually try to get a bite to eat and watch some more game tape before heading to bed," Thompson said.

2:00 a.m. Thompson's long day ends as he settles into bed.

Thank you very much to Coach Brent Thompson for sharing an approximation of his daily schedule on a game day during the ECHL season.

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