Logan Thompson

Summary

Logan Thompson (born February 25, 1997) is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL). After playing junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Thompson went undrafted, and spent time in U Sports, the ECHL, and the American Hockey League (AHL) before signing his first NHL contract with the Golden Knights in 2020. After two years spent primarily with the AHL Henderson Silver Knights, Thompson received significant playing time in the 2021–22 season due to injuries to other Vegas goaltenders, becoming the first former U Sports goaltender to start an NHL game in over 30 years. After taking over as Vegas' starting goaltender for the 2022–23 season, Thompson was named an NHL All-Star in 2023 and won the Stanley Cup with Vegas the same year, despite suffering injuries late in the season. Internationally, Thompson has represented Canada on one occasion, winning a silver medal at the 2022 edition of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Championship.

Logan Thompson
Thompson with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023
Born (1997-02-25) February 25, 1997 (age 27)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 201 lb (91 kg; 14 st 5 lb)
Position Goaltender
Catches Right
NHL team Vegas Golden Knights
National team  Canada
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2019–present

Playing career edit

Junior, university, and minors edit

Thompson began as a goaltender in bantam U15 junior hockey with the Calgary Bisons of the U15 Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL),[1] before moving up to the AMHL's midget U18 level with the Calgary Buffalo Hockey Association (CBHA) Blackhawks and Calgary Buffaloes.[1][2][3] He split the 2014–15 season between the Grande Prairie Storm of the Alberta Junior Hockey League and the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League, appearing in 22 games for Grande Prairie and four for Brandon.[4][3]

Thompson spent the next three seasons with Brandon, posting a career .905 save percentage and 3.36 goals against average with a 63–41–10 record, and helping the team to a WHL Championship in 2016.[3][5] He then joined the Brock Badgers of U Sports' Ontario University Athletics (OUA) for the 2018–19 season;[3][6] after posting an 18–6–0 record with a .934 save percentage and 2.24 goals against average, Thompson was named to the OUA West Division All-Rookie and First All-Star teams, while winning their Rookie of the Year and Goalie of the Year awards.[7][8]

After the conclusion of the Badgers' season, Thompson joined the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL on an amateur tryout contract in March 2019.[9][10] After being released in April after eight appearances, he signed a professional tryout contract with the Binghamton Devils of the American Hockey League (AHL),[11][12] but appeared in just one game.[3]

In May 2019, the Hershey Bears of the AHL signed Thompson to a one-year contract.[13][10][14] However, he spent the entirety of the 2019–20 season with the Bears' ECHL affiliate, the South Carolina Stingrays.[3][15][10]

Vegas Golden Knights (2021–present) edit

 
Thompson with the Golden Knights in 2022.

On July 13, 2020, Thompson signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League (NHL).[16][17] Thompson started the 2020–21 season with the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, and was named AHL Goaltender of the Month for February 2021.[18][19] However, he was recalled to the main roster in early March, replacing previous backup Oscar Dansk.[20][21] On March 11, Thompson made his NHL debut against the Minnesota Wild in relief of Marc-André Fleury, playing eight minutes and stopping both shots he faced in a 4–3 loss.[4][22] Thompson was then sent back down to Henderson on March 16.[23] Thompson was again named AHL Goaltender of the Month in March,[24][25] and would ultimately win his first Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL's best goaltender for the 2020–21 AHL season; additionally, Thompson was named to the AHL's All-Rookie and Pacific Division All-Star teams.[26][27]

Thompson made his first NHL start for Vegas on January 4, 2022, stopping 23 of 26 shots faced in a 3–2 loss to the Nashville Predators; in the process, Thompson became the first former U Sports goaltender to start an NHL game since George Maneluk for the New York Islanders in 1990.[7] On January 30, the Golden Knights re-signed Thompson to a three-year, $2.3 million contract extension.[28][29] Thompson recorded his first NHL win on February 20, making 35 saves on 36 shots in a 4–1 victory over the San Jose Sharks.[30] He later recorded his first NHL shutout on March 30, stopping all 22 shots against in a 3–0 victory over the Seattle Kraken.[31]

Due to injuries to starting goaltender Robin Lehner and backup Laurent Brossoit, Thompson was named the Golden Knights' starting goaltender entering the 2022–23 season,[32] leading the team to a 4–3 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in the season opener on October 11, 2022.[33] Thompson then recorded his first shutout of the season on October 13, stopping 27 shots as the Golden Knights defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 1–0.[34] Thompson was named NHL Rookie of the Month for November after winning eight of 10 appearances during the month.[35][36] Subsequently, he was named to his first NHL All-Star Game in January 2023, serving as one of the Pacific Division's goaltenders in the 2023 contest; Thompson also became the first rookie goaltender to be named to the All-Star Game since John Gibson in 2016.[37][38] Similarly owing to his strong start, Thompson was initially considered a contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie.[39][40]

 
Thompson in net for the Golden Knights during the 2024 Winter Classic.

Thompson's rookie year was then cut short just after the All-Star Break, as he left early in a 5–1 victory over the Minnesota Wild on February 9, after suffering a lower-body injury.[41] After missing the majority of February and March, Thompson would ultimately return for one start against the Calgary Flames on March 23; however, he again suffered a lower-body injury, and left in the third period,[42] subsequently missing the remainder of the regular season.[43] In his absence, the Golden Knights variously relied on Brossoit, Adin Hill, fellow rookie Jiří Patera, and the newly-acquired Jonathan Quick.[44][45] Thompson shared in the Golden Knights' eventual Stanley Cup victory, despite not being able to participate in the playoffs,[46] and his name was engraved on the Stanley Cup alongside the rest of the team.[47]

The following season saw Hill and Thompson working as a tandem,[48] splitting starts over the first month of the season.[49] However, after Hill suffered two lower-body injuries in November and December, Thompson once again assumed the starting role.[50] While appearing in 10 games during December, Thompson saw a decline in play, being removed against the Carolina Hurricanes on December 19, 2023, after allowing six goals,[51] and culminating in a 5–2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on December 27, in which he allowed four goals in the first period.[52][50][53] Additionally, like Hill, he suffered an injury mid-month, briefly ceding the starting role to Jiří Patera.[54] After a 3–2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on December 28,[50] Thompson started the 2024 Winter Classic for the Golden Knights on January 1, 2024, culminating in a 3–0 defeat to the Seattle Kraken.[55]

International play edit

Medal record
Representing   Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
  2022 Finland

Thompson was named to the Canadian national team for the 2022 IIHF World Championship.[56][57] After entering the tournament as Canada's starting goaltender and appearing in four games,[58][3] Thompson suffered an injury and ceded starting duties to Chris Driedger.[59] Thompson ultimately won a silver medal, as Canada lost the tournament finals to Finland in overtime.[59]

Career statistics edit

Regular season and playoffs edit

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP W L T/OT MIN GA SO GAA SV% GP W L MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2014–15 Grande Prairie Storm AJHL 22 4 11 5 1,242 70 1 3.38 .906
2014–15 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 4 3 1 0 240 19 0 4.74 .846
2015–16 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 23 17 1 0 1,231 54 0 2.63 .898 1 0 0 2.65 .920
2016–17 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 40 14 17 2 2,299 124 1 3.24 .908 4 0 4 4.96 .902
2017–18 Brandon Wheat Kings WHL 55 29 22 2 3,165 180 3 3.41 .908 2 0 2 8.30 .765
2018–19 Brock Badgers OUA 24 18 6 0 1,456 54 3 2.22 .934 5 3 2 2.82 .915
2018–19 Adirondack Thunder ECHL 8 2 4 1 463 21 0 2.72 .918
2018–19 Binghamton Devils AHL 1 0 1 0 60 5 0 5.03 .815
2019–20 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 32 23 8 1 1,922 72 3 2.25 .929
2020–21 Henderson Silver Knights AHL 23 16 6 2 1,350 44 2 1.96 .943 5 3 2 309 12 0 2.33 .919
2020–21 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 1 0 0 0 9 0 0 0.00 1.000
2021–22 Henderson Silver Knights AHL 26 13 9 4 1,492 69 2 2.77 .920
2021–22 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 19 10 5 3 1,098 49 1 2.68 .914
2022–23 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 37 21 13 3 2,172 96 2 2.65 .915
NHL totals 57 31 18 6 3,278 145 3 2.65 .915

International edit

Year Team Event Result GP W L OT MIN GA SO GAA SV%
2022 Canada WC   4 3 1 0 239 12 0 3.00 .881
Senior totals 4 3 1 0 239 12 0 3.00 .881

Awards and honours edit

Award Year Ref
WHL
Ed Chynoweth Cup champion 2016 [5]
East Second All-Star Team 2018 [60]
U SportsOUA West
All-Rookie Team 2019 [7]
First All-Star Team 2019 [7][8]
Goaltender of the Year 2019 [7][8]
Rookie of the Year 2019 [7][8]
AHL
All-Rookie Team 2021 [61]
Pacific Division All-Star Team 2021 [62]
Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award 2021 [26]
NHL
NHL All-Star Game 2023 [37]
Stanley Cup champion 2023 [47]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Gotz, Ben (September 23, 2022). "Close friends to battle for Golden Knights' goaltending job". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2024. Hill played for the Calgary Bisons U15 team, and Thompson did so a year later. Hill was on the Calgary Buffaloes' U18 squad, as was Thompson.
  2. ^ Gilbertson, Wes (June 23, 2021). "Calgary's Logan Thompson soaking up experience as Golden Knights' third-string goalie". Calgary Sun. Retrieved January 7, 2024. Not many had Thompson — a graduate of the Blackfoot minor-hockey association and the Midget-AAA Buffaloes — on that type of trajectory during his stint with the Western Hockey League's Brandon Wheat Kings.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Logan Thompson at eliteprospects.com". Elite Prospects. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Clausing, Shane (March 11, 2021). "Former Storm goaltender makes NHL debut for Vegas Golden Knights". EverythingGP.com.
  5. ^ a b Bergson, Perry (January 23, 2018). "Seattle full of good memories for some Wheat King players". The Brandon Sun. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023. The Wheat Kings beat the Seattle Thunderbirds 8-4 on May 13, 2016, to win their third Western Hockey League title. Just 620 days later, Stelio Mattheos, Ty Lewis, Connor Gutenberg, Linden McCorrister, Logan Thompson and James Shearer will be the only Wheat Kings still active with the team as they visit Seattle tonight.
  6. ^ Dakin, Dan (July 15, 2020). "Former Badgers goalie signs with NHL's Golden Knights". Brock University Athletics. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Ellis, Steven (January 5, 2022). "As U Sports Players Sit Sidelined, Two Alumni Make NHL Impact". The Hockey News. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d Leithwood, Stephen (March 7, 2019). "Thompson named OUA Rookie of the Year, Goalie of the Year". Brock University Athletics. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  9. ^ "Thunder Bring In Goaltender Logan Thompson". ECHLThunder.com. March 2, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  10. ^ a b c Granger, Jesse (October 18, 2022). "Logan Thompson's pro dream nearly ended — then his rise to the Golden Knights began". The Athletic. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  11. ^ "Logan Thompson Signs PTO with Binghamton Devils". ECHLThunder.com. April 9, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  12. ^ "B-Devils Sign Goalie Logan Thompson To PTO". Fox 40 W-ICZ. April 9, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  13. ^ "Bears Sign Goaltender Logan Thompson to AHL Contract". HersheyBears.com. May 21, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  14. ^ Cohen, Rachel (May 21, 2019). "Hershey Bears sign goaltender Logan Thompson to one year AHL contract". Russian Machine Never Breaks. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  15. ^ "Logan Thompson Makes NHL Debut With Vegas". South Carolina Stingrays. March 11, 2021. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  16. ^ "VGK Sign Goaltender Logan Thompson To Two-Year Entry-Level Contract". NHL.com. July 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  17. ^ Bergson, Perry (July 22, 2020). "Thompson happy to sign with Vegas". Brandon Sun. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  18. ^ "Logan Thompson Named CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month". HendersonSilverKnights.com. March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  19. ^ Futrell, Ron (March 1, 2021). "Silver Knights' Logan Thompson named Goaltender of the Month". CBS 8 News Now. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  20. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Announce Roster Transactions". NHL.com. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  21. ^ Schoen, David (February 28, 2021). "Logan Thompson earns chance as Golden Knights backup goalie". reviewjournal.com. Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  22. ^ "Golden Knights' Logan Thompson: Makes NHL debut". CBSSports.com. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  23. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Hockey Transactions". The Sports Network. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
  24. ^ "Logan Thompson Named CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month". HendersonSilverKnights.com. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  25. ^ Salmond, Bryan (April 2, 2021). "VGK lose, but back in first place, HSK goalie Thompson named AHL goalie of month". NBC News 3 Las Vegas. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "Logan Thompson Wins Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award". hendersonsilverknights.com. June 1, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  27. ^ "Henderson Silver Knights goaltender named outstanding AHL goaltender for 2020-21". ABC 13 - KTNV Las Vegas. June 1, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  28. ^ "Vegas Golden Knights Announce Three Contract Extensions". Vegas Golden Knights. January 30, 2022. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  29. ^ Gotz, Ben (January 30, 2022). "Golden Knights agree to contract extensions with 3 players". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  30. ^ Weigers, Gordon (February 20, 2022). "Thompson, Eichel Power Golden Knights to 4-1 Win in San Jose". NHL.com. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
  31. ^ Eide, Andy (March 30, 2022). "Kraken lose to Golden Knights, out of playoff contention in first season". NHL.com. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  32. ^ Myers, Tracey (August 25, 2022). "Thompson expected to start season as Golden Knights' No. 1 goalie". NHL.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  33. ^ Greenspan, Dan (October 12, 2022). "Stone scores late, Golden Knights defeat Kings in season opener". NHL.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  34. ^ Weigers, Gordon (October 14, 2022). "Thompson, Cotter Power Golden Knights Past Blackhawks, 1-0". NHL.com. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  35. ^ "Thompson of Golden Knights named NHL Rookie of the Month for November". NHL.com. December 1, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  36. ^ Webster, Danny (December 1, 2022). "Golden Knights goalie Thompson named NHL's rookie of the month for November". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Goaltender Logan Thompson Named to 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend". NHL.com. January 5, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  38. ^ Gotz, Ben (January 5, 2023). "Knights' selection for NHL All-Star Weekend named". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  39. ^ Ellis, Steven (December 1, 2022). "December NHL Calder Trophy update: Logan Thompson, Matty Beniers, Cole Perfetti highlight top 10 rookies". Daily Faceoff. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  40. ^ Ferrari, Tony (January 8, 2023). "Calder Trophy Tracker: Beniers Paces the Pack but Gap Closes". The Hockey News. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  41. ^ Myers, Tracey (February 11, 2023). "Thompson out week to week with lower-body injury for Golden Knights". NHL.com. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  42. ^ Vickers, Aaron (March 24, 2023). "Thompson injured again for Golden Knights in win against Flames". NHL.com. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  43. ^ "Logan Thompson - Full Game Log 2022-23". Fox Sports. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  44. ^ "Golden Knights overcome goalie injuries to lead West". Sportsnet. March 29, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  45. ^ Krepps, Owen (March 20, 2023). "Golden Knights In Yet Another Chapter Of Their Goalie Saga". Vegas Hockey Now. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  46. ^ "Twenty-four WHL Alumni win 2023 Stanley Cup Championship with Vegas Golden Knights". Western Hockey League. June 13, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  47. ^ a b "Names Engraved on Stanley Cup". NHL.com. July 7, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  48. ^ Webster, Danny (October 5, 2023). "Longtime Friends and VGK Goaltending Tandem Adin Hill and Logan Thompson are Ready to Run it Back". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  49. ^ Gawlik, Chris (November 11, 2023). "Cassidy: "Goalies Right on Schedule"". Vegas Hockey Now. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  50. ^ a b c Hill, Adam (December 29, 2023). "Knights goalie moves on from 'toughest month of my career'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
  51. ^ Dusterberg, Kurt (December 19, 2023). "Bunting has 3 points, Hurricanes cruise past Golden Knights". nhl.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  52. ^ Arritt, Dan (December 28, 2023). "Ducks score 4 in 1st, hand Golden Knights 4th straight loss". nhl.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  53. ^ Webster, Danny (December 28, 2023). "Thompson caps off 'long' month to help Golden Knights end losing streak". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  54. ^ "Golden Knights goalies Adin Hill and Logan Thompson both out with injuries". ESPN.com. December 21, 2023. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  55. ^ Rosen, Dan (January 1, 2024). "Daccord has 1st shutout in Winter Classic history, Kraken top Golden Knights". nhl.com. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  56. ^ "Trio Of Golden Knights To Represent Canada At IIHF World Championship". NHL.com. May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  57. ^ Webster, Danny (May 12, 2022). "Confident, but not cocky: Logan Thompson's whirlwind journey continues with Team Canada". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  58. ^ Kennedy, Ian (May 19, 2022). "Logan Thompson Took a Unique Road to Become Team Canada Starter". The Hockey News. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  59. ^ a b Wegman, Josh (May 29, 2023). "Finland edges Canada in OT to win gold at World Championship". thescore.com. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  60. ^ Murray, Robert (March 21, 2018). "WHL announces 2017-18 Conference All-Star teams". Canadian Hockey League. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
  61. ^ "2020-21 AHL All-Rookie Team named". theahl.com. May 25, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  62. ^ "2020-21 AHL All-Star Teams unveiled". theahl.com. May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2021.

External links edit

  • Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
  • IIHF World Championship statistics at IIHF
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award
2020–21
Succeeded by