In accepting his first professional head coaching job, Zach Pochiro promised to bring back an aggressive, physical brand of hockey that will look very familiar to longtime Stockton Thunder fans.
With the same names as its predecessor, Stockton’s new expansion team the Thunder, part of of the Federal Prospect League, is looking to continue the city’s long-time hockey tradition of tough play, announced Pochiro’s hiring at a press conference on Thursday at the University Plaza Waterfront Hotel.
The team also announced two other major hires: Gary Graham will be the vice president of business operations and team general manager, while Steve McCall will take over as vice president of communications and media relations and serve as the Thunder’s lead play-by-play broadcaster.
The Thunder begins the 56-game FPHL on the road on Oct. 11 against the Oceanside, which has not announced a team monicker yet. The first home game will be Oct. 17 at 6:15 p.m. at Adventist health Arena against Oceanside. The Thunder has been busily putting together a roster and have announced 10 players in preparation for its first season.
And now they have a coach.
After being introduced by franchise executive Parker Moskel, Pochiro, 32, described his vision for the type of team he expects the Thunder to put on the ice. He spoke about creating a squad that emulates the style he embodied during a pro career that spanned more than a decade (2013-23).
“I played with an edge. I liked to fight a bit, but it wasn’t my whole game,” Pochiro said. “I’m hoping that we can bring that edge of that Canadian style down here.”
A 6-foot-3 forward, Pochiro was a fourth-round pick of the St. Louis Blues in the 2013 NHL Draft, and played in the American Hockey League, ECHL and Europe. His best season was in 2018-19 with the Allen (Texas) Americans, when he had 34 goals, 58 total points and 137 penalty minutes in 63 games. In its 10 seasons in Stockton (2005-2015), the original Thunder of the ECHL was often known for its tough persona and gritty play.
The new coach has some experience in his new city. During his stay with the Alaska Aces during the 2014-15 season, Pochiro played a series in Stockton.
“I remember playing in Stockton when I was with the aces, seeing how big the crowd was, how intense the building was — and it was a lot of fun,” Pochiro said.
Since retiring as a player, Pochiro moved into player development, coaching and scouting, including work with the Vegas Junior Golden Knights program and scouting for his former Western Hockey League junior organization, the Prince George Cougars.
Moskel said he has confidence in Pochiro, saying that he has solid knowledge of the game and that “everyone has to start somewhere.” Graham, who has an extensive coaching resume, will also serve as an assistant coach for the Thunder.
The Thunder will play in the newly-formed Frontier Division in the Western Division of the FPHL, along with Oceanside, the Fresno Falcons, Minnesota Northern Lights and Topeka Scarecrows. Season tickets are currently available, and team president Scott Brand said more than 500 season tickets have been sold. The full schedule is on the Thunder’s website