STOCKTON THUNDER ADD ZACH POCHIRO, GARY GRAHAM AND STEVE McCALL TO ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM

Pochiro named Head Coach, Graham to oversee team personnel and join the coaching staff, and McCall appointed Vice President of Communications and Media Relations

STOCKTON, Calif. — July 30, 2026 — The Stockton Thunder have added Zach Pochiro, Gary Graham and Steve McCall to the organization’s leadership team ahead of the inaugural 2026–27 Federal Prospects Hockey League season.

Pochiro has been named Head Coach of the Thunder. Graham joins the organization as Vice President of Business Operations and Team General Manager while also serving as a member of Pochiro’s coaching staff. McCall will serve as Vice President of Communications and Media Relations and the Thunder’s lead play-by-play broadcaster.

The three additions bring extensive experience in professional hockey coaching, player development, roster construction, broadcasting, communications and organizational leadership. Each will play an important role as the Thunder continue building their hockey and business operations ahead of the team’s first season at Adventist Health Arena.

Zach Pochiro — Head Coach

Pochiro takes the next step in his hockey career as Head Coach of the Stockton Thunder.

Born in St. Louis and raised in Las Vegas, Pochiro developed through youth hockey before playing junior hockey with the Wichita Falls Wildcats and Prince George Cougars. Following his first season with Prince George, he was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round, 112th overall, of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

Pochiro went on to build an extensive professional playing career that included appearances in the American Hockey League with the Chicago Wolves and Bakersfield Condors, along with significant experience in the ECHL.

Known throughout his playing career for combining offensive production with size, physicality and competitiveness, Pochiro recorded one of his strongest professional seasons with the Allen Americans in 2018–19. He finished the campaign with 34 goals and 24 assists for 58 points in 63 games while also collecting 137 penalty minutes.

Following his playing career, Pochiro transitioned into player development, coaching and scouting. His experience has included work within the Vegas Junior Golden Knights program and scouting for his former Western Hockey League organization, the Prince George Cougars.

As Head Coach, Pochiro will oversee the Thunder’s day-to-day on-ice operations, including practices, systems, game preparation and player development. He will work closely with Graham and the organization’s hockey operations staff to build the inaugural roster and establish the standards expected throughout the Thunder organization.

Pochiro’s experience as a former NHL draft selection and longtime professional player provides him with a strong understanding of the preparation, accountability and consistency required at the professional level.

He will be tasked with developing a Thunder identity centered around speed, toughness, discipline and competitiveness as professional hockey begins a new chapter in Stockton.

Gary Graham — Vice President of Business Operations and Team General Manager

Graham joins the Thunder with an extensive background in coaching, player personnel, recruiting and organizational leadership.

Most recently, Graham served as Head Coach and General Manager of the Pee Dee IceCats, helping guide the organization to an appearance in the 2026 FPHL Commissioner’s Cup Finals. His recent championship-series run adds another successful chapter to a career built around developing players and constructing competitive professional hockey teams.

A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Graham began his coaching career within the Fort Wayne Komets organization before receiving his first professional head-coaching opportunity with the Pensacola Ice Flyers. During the 2012–13 season, he guided Pensacola to the first Southern Professional Hockey League championship in franchise history.

Graham later returned to Fort Wayne, where he served as Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel for six seasons. He completed his tenure with a 251-130-51 regular-season record, 553 standings points and a .640 winning percentage across 432 games. His time leading the Komets included four seasons with more than 40 victories.

His coaching career has also included experience in the United States Hockey League and internationally in England, China and Russia.

As Team General Manager, Graham will take a leading role in constructing and maintaining the Thunder’s roster. His responsibilities will include player recruiting, scouting, trades, transactions and other personnel decisions throughout the season.

Graham will work alongside Pochiro to identify players who fit the Thunder’s desired style of play and organizational culture. He will also help manage the roster as the season progresses, evaluating potential additions and handling transactions designed to strengthen the team.

In addition to his responsibilities as General Manager and Vice President of Business Operations, Graham will serve as a member of the Thunder’s coaching staff and will be on the bench throughout the season.

His presence will provide Pochiro and the Thunder players with another experienced coaching voice during practices and games. Graham will work closely with Pochiro as a mentor and resource while assisting with preparation, systems, player development and in-game adjustments.

The partnership will allow Pochiro to benefit from Graham’s experience as a championship-winning head coach, longtime director of player personnel and recent Commissioner’s Cup finalist while continuing to establish his own identity and approach as the Thunder’s Head Coach.

Graham’s responsibilities will connect several key areas of the organization. His involvement in recruiting and roster management will give him a detailed understanding of the players assembled for Stockton, while his position on the coaching staff will allow him to assist in their development throughout the season.

His ability to contribute behind the bench, in the front office and on the business side of the organization will play an important role in building a stable foundation for Thunder hockey.

Steve McCall — Vice President of Communications and Media Relations

McCall joins the Thunder as Vice President of Communications and Media Relations and will serve as the organization’s lead broadcaster for the upcoming 2026–27 FPHL season.

McCall will call all Thunder home and away games on Sports Radio AM 970 KESP and the team’s YouTube channel. He will also contribute to the Thunder’s coaches’ shows while helping oversee the organization’s media relations, public relations, game information and communications strategy.

McCall and Stockton President and General Manager Scott Brand first worked together with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League. The growth of the Black Hawks helped create an organizational model that other teams throughout the USHL would later seek to emulate as the league continued developing into one of the top junior hockey leagues in the United States.

Throughout his broadcasting career, McCall has covered Stanley Cup Playoff games and an NHL All-Star Game. He brings decades of experience in professional and junior hockey broadcasting, communications and media relations.

One notable connection from McCall’s career came during the 2006–07 season, when he called the first professional goal scored by Spencer Carbery as a member of the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League.

Carbery later played part of the following season in Stockton and currently serves as Head Coach of the NHL’s Washington Capitals. He earned the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s Coach of the Year following the 2024–25 season.

In addition to calling every Thunder game, McCall will help tell the stories of the organization’s players, coaches, partners and community initiatives throughout the inaugural season.

His experience behind the microphone and within hockey communications will help connect Thunder fans with the team both on game nights and throughout the week across the organization’s broadcast and digital platforms.

Building the Thunder’s Foundation

The additions of Pochiro, Graham and McCall provide the Thunder with experienced leadership across several important areas of the organization.

Pochiro will lead the team and establish its identity on the ice. Graham will manage recruiting, trades, transactions and roster construction while also working alongside Pochiro on the bench throughout the season. McCall will lead the organization’s broadcasting, communications and media-relations efforts.

Together, they will help establish the standards, structure and culture of the Thunder as the organization prepares for its inaugural campaign.

The Thunder will play 56 regular-season games during the 2026–27 season, including 28 home games at Adventist Health Arena. Stockton will begin the season on the road against Oceanside HC on Sunday, October 11, before hosting Oceanside in the team’s home opener on Saturday, October 17.

Additional announcements regarding the Thunder’s inaugural roster, hockey operations staff, training camp, tickets and community events will be made as the organization continues preparing for opening night.

About the Stockton Thunder

The Stockton Thunder are a professional hockey organization and proud member of the Federal Prospects Hockey League. Beginning with the 2026–27 season, the Thunder will play their home games at Adventist Health Arena in downtown Stockton.

The organization is committed to delivering an exciting and affordable professional hockey experience while building meaningful relationships with fans, businesses, youth athletes and community organizations throughout Stockton and the surrounding region.

For tickets and additional information, visit StocktonHockey.com and follow the Stockton Thunder on Instagram and Facebook at @StocktonThunderHockey.

GO THUNDER!