Thomson grateful to play whole career with Canes

By Lethbridge Herald on April 12, 2023.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Hurricanes goaltender Bryan Thomson finished his Wesatern Hockey League career last week with the team, in an opportunity he thought was special.

“It’s obviously something super special,” said Thomson.

“I mean just to be in the same place for all my years in junior alone is special enough, but to be in Lethbridge, it’s a huge honour and something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”

He will cherish all the friendships he made from playing in the city.

“And for it to happen in Lethbridge, and for me to meet all the amazing people, and the fans and ultimately the billet parents in Lethbridge, everything was a huge help,” said Thomson.

“And I’ll cherish those memories and keep those friendships for the rest of my life.”

Thomson dealt with some adversity in his career with more recently recovering from offseason hip surgery and able to come back from that and leading the Hurricanes down the stretch this season.

“Yeah, I think just being pretty strict with myself on my rehab and my recovery,” said Thomson.

“And not letting a day slip by or get lazy and just staying on top of all the little things that I can do get myself back in the game as quick as possible.  And then obviously doing what it takes to feel as good as possible,” said Thomson.

Thomson’s  favourite memories were of every win, the players that he met along the way, the long road trips, the late nights arriving back and the little things in the dressing room.

Thomson cherished the opportunity to play with players such as Dylan Cozens, Calen Addison and Stuart Skinner.

“They’re extremely talented and it’s nice just to be able to say I know them and I played with them,” said Thomson.

“But  growing up, I think Stuart Skinner really was someone I looked up to and obviously for good reason. He’s a great goaltender and obviously just watching him play was something special and I could take a lot away from him.”

Thomson is prolonging his hockey career as  he signed a two-year, one way American Hockey League contract with the Texas Stars over the Easter Weekend.

“Yeah, obviously it was a rollercoaster of emotions really,” said Thomson.

“(And) losing out in (the) first round in my final WHL year was tough and then a couple days later, being on a super high from signing my first pro contract, it’s pretty surreal.”

In 117 regular season games with the Canes, Thomson accumulated a 59-42-4-2 record, a .901 save percentage and a goals against average of 3.06.

In eight post season games, he had a 7-1 record, a .898 save percentage and a GAA of 3.88.