The Brampton Thunder announced on Monday that their search for a new head coach is over and that Jim Jackson will be taking the reigns for Brampton next season.
Jackson is a former NHL player with both the Calgary Flames and the Buffalo Sabres and has been an assistant coach at UOIT for the past two years, where he helped the women’s hockey program expand. He has over 20 years of coaching experience at various levels of play.
“We believe Jim has a skill–set that will take our program to the next level. His professionalism, demeanor and knowledge of the game are hard to find in a coach…We are very lucky to have Jim join the Thunder organization and are very excited for the 2017-2018 season,” said interim GM Chelsea Purcell on Jackson’s hiring.
Thunder Announce New Head Coach…https://t.co/hpN7BM5pf9
— Brampton Thunder HC (@BramptonCWHL) May 8, 2017
The team announced recently that former head coach Tyler Fines would not return as the Thunder’s head coach after two years behind the bench. The Thunder have gone through quite a bit of turnover the last few years…prior to Fines’ hiring, the Thunder released their previous head coach, Pat Cocklin, mid-season. Assistant coach Kristi Alcorn led the team for the remainder of that season, assisted by then-GM Lori Dupuis.
Pat Cocklin has been released as Head Coach of the Brampton Thunder. pic.twitter.com/9tC7xb4a4J
— Brampton Thunder HC (@BramptonCWHL) January 23, 2015
Fines was hired the next year and won the Coach of the Year award in his first season as a CWHL coach.