Thompson becomes a Bulldog | British Ice Hockey

Paul Thompson wants to implement a new culture at Odense Bulldogs after the Danish club confirmed he would take over as head coach.

The vastly experienced former Coventry Blaze, Sheffield Steelers and GB head coach is returning to Metal Legaen, where he previously coached Aalborg Pirates and takes over from Marc LeFebvre, who has been in charge there for the last two seasons.

But Thompson, who previously coached Italian side Unterland Cavaliers in the IHL, has already got his sights on what he wants to do with them after they missed the play-offs for the second straight season.

“The goal is to create a stable development in the club, where we play playoffs every season,” Thompson told Odense Bulldogs’ website.

“There is a difference between saying that you are a playoff team, and then actually being that. Hard work awaits and we must have the right players on the journey, who are motivated by the challenge and who will work hard and committed to establishing ourselves as a competitive team.

PAUL THOMPSON NY TRÆNER I ODENSE BULLDOGS

Læs mere her: https://t.co/pqOrYJjbov #isdk #metalligaen

— Metal Ligaen (@metalligaen) March 26, 2021

“Our fans must be thrilled with our style of play, commitment and willingness to win. I’m really looking forward to getting started with the new season.

“I’m very excited to take over as head coach of the Odense Bulldogs and I look forward to building and implementing a new culture in Bulldogs, where the work already begins now.”

Thompson has signed on for two seasons, taking him to the end of the 2022/23 and is the latest step on an impressive CV that has taken him around Europe.

After leaving Coventry Blaze in 2013, he went to Sweden and coach IF Troja-Ljungby before moving to Denmark where he worked at the Pirates before returning to the UK to take over Sheffield Steelers in 2015.

He left them after just over three years and was given the chance to take over DEL side Schwenninger Wild Wings then onto Unterland in Italy, with whom he won the Italian Cup last season.

Ole Nielsen, Odense’s CEO said Thompson ticked many boxes for him as they moved to get their man in place.

“In Paul Thompson, we have a very large coaching capacity,” Neilsen said. “He’s extremely competent and has the right profile to fulfill our sporting ambitions for the playoffs already in the coming season. 

“He has lots of important experience from the European leagues, including EIHL, DEL and Allsvenskan at the same time as he has an in-depth knowledge of the Danish league. 

“Paul was without a doubt the best match based on our research and he has the right experience and routine to be able to set the future direction.”