“I came close to giving up” – Logan Thompson on his unlikely journey to the NHL

FORT LAUDERDALE | Four years ago, Logan Thompson found himself at a crossroads. In 2018-2019, he continued his career as a goaltender for the Brock University Badgers in Ontario. Never drafted, a position in the NHL remained a mere illusion.

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Thompson, 25, found a way to hang on. Today, he’s not just the number one goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights, he also has a 2023 All-Star Game appearance on his resume.

“Yeah, it’s hard to believe,” Thompson said following the Pacific Division’s 6-4 loss to Central in the All-Star Game. I had never put the NHL All-Star Game on my wish list. I didn’t think I would play in the NHL anymore. But I got a call from the NHL [qui m’invitait] to Florida for the All-Star Game. I was in shock. I was surprised, but
so happy. »

AFP photo

Goaltender Logan Thompson tries to make a save on guest Emily Clark during the All-Star Game skills competition last Friday.

“There are so many good goaltenders in the NHL, I wasn’t thinking of an all-star appearance. Me, I’m happy just at the idea of ​​playing at the NHL level. »

Long course

A native of Calgary, Alta., Thompson played four seasons for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Junior League West. The right-handed catching goaltender never had the good fortune to hear his name in an NHL draft.

At the end of his junior career in 2018, he received an invite to Washington Capitals rookie camp. But he had failed to convince the Caps to offer him a contract.

With no place to pursue his career, he ended up at Brock University in 2018-19. At that time, he was a long way from the NHL.

“I’ve always believed in myself,” he said when asked to describe his unusual journey. I never stopped working even though there were several times when I almost gave up. I kept my competitive spirit, I didn’t let myself down. This is the main lesson I remember: I fought. I have always worked hard. »

“It’s the reality of the CHL, he chained. When you don’t get drafted in your first year of eligibility, it gets even harder. The teams always look at the youngest. When you get older, you get a little frustrated with this reality. You ask yourself questions. Why not me ? It’s probably more difficult in the goalkeeper position. At 17, you don’t often have a big role when you play in the WHL, the OHL or the Q (LHJMQ). »

Marty Williamson, the coach at Brock in 2018-19, reminisced regarding his days with Thompson during an interview at On dutyl.

“I suspected he was going to leave the Canadian university ranks quickly,” said Williamson, who is now the coach and general manager of the Barrie Colts in the OHL. I knew he had the talent to turn pro. He was dominant with us. But I mightn’t predict his whole journey. »

One step at a time

After Brock University, Thompson earned an ECHL tryout with the Adirondack Thunder for the end of the 2018-19 season. The following year, he rolled his bump with the South Carolina Stingrays, still in the ECHL.

In 2020-2021, he made the jump to the American League with the Golden Knights’ school team, the Henderson Silver Knights. He engraved his name on the Baz Bastien trophy, awarded to the best goalkeeper on the circuit.

During the same season, he also played in his first game in the NHL. On March 10, 2021, he blocked two shots in just over eight minutes in a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild. He replaced Marc-André Fleury in the third period.

On January 4, 2022, Thompson got his first NHL start, a 3–2 loss to the Nashville Predators. He became the first Canadian college goaltender to receive an NHL start since George Maneluk in 1990 with the New York Islanders.

“Logan is a message of hope for younger hockey players who feel they are at a crossroads,” said Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy. Nothing is ever impossible. »