DENVER - Matty Thomas (Bow, N.H.) has joined the seven-time NCAA champion University of Denver Pioneers as volunteer assistant coach, two-time National Coach of the Year George Gwozdecky announced today. Thomas joins the Pioneers after serving as an assistant coach with the Navy club program the past two seasons.

Thomas' responsibilities at DU will include assisting in practice planning, breaking down and analyzing game video, individual teaching and on-ice skill development.

"We are pleased to add Matty Thomas to our coaching staff," Gwozdecky said. "He has an impressive military background and passion for hockey. Matty has a strong work ethic and he comes from a great hockey family."

A 2005 graduate of the Naval Academy, Thomas was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. He then completed three wartime deployments during tours aboard USS MONTEREY (CG 61) and USS ELROD (FFG 55) in support of both U.S. and NATO operations. During his four years serving afloat, Thomas served separately as both Damage Control Assistant and Tomahawk Engagement Control Officer.

In 2009, his career brought him to Military Sealift Command Headquarters in Washington D.C., and Thomas rejoined Navy hockey as assistant coach. In two seasons working with his friend and mentor, head coach Michael Fox, Thomas was responsible for recruiting, video coordination, special-teams strategies, classroom sessions, team-building development and off-ice conditioning.

A four-year letterwinner and team captain at Navy, he led the defense in scoring and plus/minus during his junior and senior seasons. He earned an invitation to participate in the USA Hockey World University Games selection camp in 2004.

Thomas has also worked extensively with Washington Capitals broadcast commentator Craig Laughlin and his Network Hockey Development Program. He has also volunteered with the PVAHA USA Hockey Development camps, Special Olympics and Wounded Warrior Project.

A native of Bow, N.H., Thomas' younger brother, Andrew, was a team captain and member of the 2005 University of Denver NCAA championship team. His father, Larry Thomas, was a long-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association referee.