The Adirondack Thunder introduced head coach Sylvain Cloutier to fans and media on Tuesday during a press conference at Cool Insuring Arena. Assistant coach Ben Holmstrom was not in attendance due to the recent birth of his second child. He was expected to address season ticket holders via Zoom at an event later in the day.
Sylvain Cloutier and Ben Holmstrom Terms and Effect On The Thunder
During the original announcement of his hiring, there was no mention of the term or if Sylvain Cloutier would hold the President of Operations Role. Both Alex Loh and Pete MacArthur held the Position of President of Operations during their time in Glens Falls. Adirondack Thunder President Jeff Mead confirmed to the media that both coaches are on one-year deals with a team option for a second year. Sylvain will hold the titles of President of Hockey Operations and head coach for the Thunder.
It’s been a job, I’ve wanted for a long time. I’ve always kept an eye on this team and when I came back from Europe after coaching there, I always kept in touch and keep looking and when the job opened up I put in my resume. When I got the call, I went down on one knee and started fist pumping like I scored a goal, it’s really exciting and it’s honor to be a part of this community again”
Cloutier on getting the job in Adirondack
The addition of Holmstrom will add a coach to the Thunder bench who has had recent coaching experience in the ECHL. This is something we didn’t see with the last two head coaches. Cloutier mentioned that he and Holmstrom talk twice a day. There is also the connection between Holmstrom and Matt Carkner, which will play a big role this season.
Utica Comets Affiliation and Connections
The Utica Comets have played a big role with the Adirondack Thunder, and that’s not expected to change next season. Thunder Assistant Coach Ben Holmstrom and Comets Assistant Coach Matt Carkner will once again work together after spending the last three seasons with the Orlando Solar Bears together. Utica has already signed a number of guys who could find their way to Adirondack again. That list includes Ryan Wheeler, Jeremy Brodeur, and Jackson van de Leest. I would expect all three to see time in Adirondack at some point next season.
Not as of yet, but we’ve got a great relationship with Tom Fitzgerald and Dan MacKinnon, we’ve been in constant contact. I’ve played with Tommy Fitz with the Devils, so there’s a good solid relationship. They wanna develop. They want to have the streamline. Most of those guys were in the Pittsburgh orginzation where they had Wheeling, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittsburgh where all players were going back and fourth and that’s what we are looking to do here”
Claude Loiselle of the Adirondack Thunder Hockey Board when asked about the affiliation extension between Adirondack and New Jersey
New Jersey and Adirondack are currently in their final year of a two-year extension they signed in June 2023. Usually, there wouldn’t be much concern about the two sides renewing their agreement, but with a possible expansion team heading to Jersey next season, some questions began to arise. However, those rumours were quickly put to rest as there seems to be a fluid relationship between the two sides. New Jersey and Adirondack have been affiliated with each other since the 2017-18 season. One of the key things mentioned was the proximity. The most important piece for New Jersey appears to be the distance between Adirondack and Utica. Loiselle also noted that the relationship is not going away during the press conference.
Roster Still In Progress
The Adirondack Thunder 2025-26 roster is still taking shape with just two players signed to ECHL deals. However, when asked what some of the needs this team has, he mentioned that offensive but big players who can play a physical game seem to be the priority at the moment. The Thunder will already be without their leading scorer from last year, Kevin O’Neil, who signed overseas.
“We’d like to get more offense, obviously. I think it’s players who can skate and play a heavy game so we are looking at size”
Cloutier on what the team is looking to add next season
Sylvain Cloutier also talked about how big of a piece Jeremy Brodeur could play if he’s able to find his way back to Adirondack. Both Brodeur and Brennan are under contract for next season. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Thunder go out once again and try to find a third goaltender to fill the need, in case a goalie gets called up, injured, or simply to help manage the busy ECHL schedule. They have carried three goaltenders the last three seasons. Sylvain talked about building from the back. He mentioned that a good goaltender is going to save those mistakes the team makes because no one is perfect.
ITR 46: Offseason Chaos – Inside The Rink
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