Sharks assistant Rocky Thompson steps down because he can't receive COVID-19 vaccine

Sharks associate coach Rocky Thompson has stepped down from his role because of a medical exemption that prevents him from taking the COVID-19 vaccine, San Jose announced Friday. 

The league protocols for the 2021-22 season require any person who needs to be within 12 feet of players to be fully vaccinated, according to an NHL memo.

"Due to a medical exemption that prevents me from taking the COVID-19 vaccine, under the new League protocols, I am not permitted to fulfill my duties on the Sharks coaching staff at this time," said Thompson. "I will have no further comment on this matter."

Thompson played mostly in the American Hockey League and 25 games at the NHL level before starting his coaching career in the Western Hockey League in 2007-08. After several other coaching stints around hockey, he became a head coach in the Ontario Hockey League in 2015-16 and spent three seasons as head coach of the Chicago Wolves (AHL) in 2017-18. He joined the Sharks staff in 2020-21.

The Sharks said they will announce a replacement in the near future.