Courtesy of Adirondack Thunder
The Adirondack Thunder, the ECHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils and Utica Comets, has announced that the club has signed Head Coach Pete MacArthur to a two-year contract extension through the 2025-26 season.
MacArthur, 39, helped lead the Thunder to the regular-season North Division Championship with the most wins (43) and points (97) in franchise history. Adirondack also advanced to the Eastern Conference Final before falling to Florida in six games. In two seasons behind the bench for the Thunder, MacArthur is 75-47-22 and qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs both years.
“My family and I are so grateful to continue with this amazing opportunity in Adirondack,” said MacArthur. “We look forward to continuing to improve on-and-off the ice and fight for a Kelly Cup Championship with the best fans in the league behind us. Go Thunder!”
On the ice, MacArthur played professionally for 14 years before his coaching career. The Clifton Park native played four seasons with Adirondack and sits third all-time in franchise history in points (175), second in assists (122), is fourth all-time in games played (202) and sixth in goals (53).
“We are thrilled to be able to extend Pete’s contract” said Team President Jeff Mead. “He has proven in just two years that he is the right leader for our organization. We have seen amazing success on the ice, including 17 sellouts last season. We look forward to continuing our quest for the Kelly Cup under Pete’s leadership.”
MacArthur will continue to be responsible for overseeing the club’s hockey operations including managing support staff and recruiting and signing players. The Boston University alumnus currently resides in Clifton Park with his wife Cristina and two sons, William and Danny.
The organizations have also announced that the club has signed Assistant Coach Mike Bergin to a two-year contract extension through the 2025-26 season.
Bergin, 36, retired from playing following the 2017-18 season and joined the Thunder as an assistant coach in the 2022-23 season. The Kanata, Ontario, native helped the Thunder to a 75-47-22 record during the regular season in his first two years behind the bench.
“I am extremely humbled and excited to continue on the bench with the Thunder,” said Bergin. “The energy the fans bring at Cool Insuring Arena is second to none, and I am so proud and grateful to continue with the organization. We have some unfinished business this season and I am excited to get back to the top of the North Division and be Kelly Cup contenders.”
Before his coaching career began, Bergin attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and served as the team’s captain his senior season. In 107 collegiate games, he had eight goals and 32 assists for 40 points and 163 penalty minutes.
“Working with Mike for the past two seasons has been a blessing,” said MacArthur.
“His evaluation skills and leadership are second to none. The Thunder organization and its fans are lucky to have him and his family on board again, and I am personally fired up to continue chasing a championship with him.”
Following his collegiate career, the defenseman played two years in Sweden before returning to play for the ECHL’s Elmira Jackals and Adirondack Thunder. Bergin played a total of 187 games with Elmira and Adirondack and recorded seven goals and 28 assists for 35 points and 294 penalty minutes.
After playing professionally, Bergin joined the coaching staff of NCAA (D3) Skidmore College from 2017 to 2022.
He currently resides in Saratoga Springs with his wife, Jennie, and children Abe, Zac and Van.
Season tickets for the 2024-25 season are on sale now. For more information on ticket packages visit www.echlthunder.com/tickets. For all the latest Adirondack Thunder news, follow the team on all social media @ECHLThunder.