Varsity Ice Hockey - Boys

For Coach, more important than his accomplishments, is his commitment to personal and professional growth and development—he is a learner and believes to be the best coach you can be you must be continually evolving.  Just as he demands his players to challenge themselves, coach sees each season and off-season as an opportunity to be a better coach. He has worked closely with renowned coaches such as Eric Hoffberg and Mark Bennett.  He has completed his MBSR, is a certified Level 4 USA Hockey coach, and has been a coach educator for USA Hockey as well.  He regularly attends coaching conferences, is an avid reader, and regular follower of coaching podcasts such as Changing the Game Project.  Coach finds value and relevancy in many life experiences that inform his coaching including his current pursuit of surfing.  

As for the more standard accomplishments, Coach holds a Master’s degree in History, has coached 28 seasons of hockey, and has led championship teams at several levels both in the U.S. and internationally.  He played at and graduated from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he was twice named to the Hockey East All Academic Team.  His coaching career began at Belchertown, High School in western Massachusetts, before ultimately heading to Avon Old Farms to start his Prep teaching and coaching career.  Coach also attended AOF in high school and was a member of the first NTDP-U18 team in 1997-98.  

Coach believes in balance. He prioritizes family and finds joy in both the intensity of the hockey season and living a relatively unplugged life in Maine in the summer months. Beyond coaching hockey at Loomis, he also teaches history, works in a dorm, and coaches J.V. lacrosse.  He lives on campus with his wife, daughter, son, and cat.

Paul Thompson is excited to join the Loomis Chaffee community and the boys ice hockey program after a successful 13-season professional ice hockey career. Paul played in more than 700 games in the AHL and NHL, and he is excited to share his experiences and knowledge to help players grow on and off the ice. He played college hockey at the University of New Hampshire (2007–11) where he was a member of the 2010 NCAA All-Academic Team and was named the 2011 Hockey East Player of the Year, an NCAA First Team All-American, and a Hobey Baker Top 10 Finalist.  

While playing professional hockey, Paul developed a desire and passion for coaching during his time in a leadership position in the AHL. He was an AHL All Star in 2015 and played 24 NHL games with the New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers. 

Aside from coaching hockey at Loomis, Paul works in an operations role in the Athletic Department. Paul resides in Longmeadow, Mass., with his wife and two children. He enjoys spending time with his family, concerts, golfing, and visiting New Hampshire, where he grew up.