The Hockey News' Stefen Rosner explains why New York Islanders fans can be optimistic heading into next season. On June 11, Bridgeport Islanders head coach Brent Thompson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/brent-thompson-bridgeport-islanders-new-york-islanders-anaheim-ducks] departed the organization after 10 seasons to pursue an NHL assistant job with the Anaheim Ducks. Two days later, the Islanders' organization awarded Bridgeport assistant coach Rick Kowalsky [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/news/rick-kowalsky-bridgeport-islanders-new-york-islanders-prospect-development] the head coaching duties. READ MORE: Kowalsky Dives Into 3 Islanders Prospects [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/new-york-islanders-prospect-matthew-maggio-william-dufour-samuel-bolduc] When we spoke with Kowalsky back on the morning of June 14, he had no answers regarding his staff. But now the answers are upon us, as the Bridgeport Islanders announced Thursday morning that Matt MacDonald and Pascal Rhéaume will serve as Kowalsky's assistant coaches. MacDonald worked as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapid Griffins, for the last five seasons after a four-year stint with the Cincinnati Cyclones (OHL). A former player for Cincinnati, MacDonald won the Kelly Cup in 2008. The assumption is that MacDonald will work closely with the young defenseman in the Islander system, as he did with Detroit. "Matt has a great personality and work ethic that I have seen firsthand, working together in Cincinnati," said Ben Simon [https://griffinshockey.com/news/macdonald-and-tapper-join-coaching-staff-1] when MacDonald was hired as his assistant in Grand Rapid in 2018. "His greatest strengths are his communication skills, his ability to teach, and his ability to understand the players' perspective. He is very prepared and detailed with his approach to the game. He will be working with our defensemen this season, and he understands the importance of the development and growth of our young defensemen in Detroit's system." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rhéaume played for six NHL teams over a nine-year NHL career after going undrafted in 1996, including under Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello during his time with the New Jersey Devils. He is the younger brother of Manon Rhéame, who became the first woman to appear in an NHL preseason game, putting on the pads for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992. For the last two seasons, Rhéame has been an assistant coach for the Trois-Riviéres Lions of the ECHL (Montreal Canadiens affiliate). Back in June, Rhéame became the head coach and general manager of Trois-Riviéres but decided to step down to pursue this AHL job with New York. Upon his elevation at Troit-Riviéres, before the job change, Deacon Sports and Entertainment president Dean MacDonald had this to say: "We believe his experience as a player and coach, in addition to his tie to the city of Trois-Rivieres, will significantly contribute to the success of our team. We are convinced that Pascal will lead the Lions towards excellence." Join Stefen Rosner's New York Islanders page on Bunches [https://www.onbunches.com/$rosnerislandershockey], a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can listen to Rosner talk Islanders hockey on Hockey Night in New York [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYN7JIgdHnM&t=956s] with co-host Sean Cuthbert [https://twitter.com/seanyhockey] Sunday nights at 8 PM ET during the season.
