Wayne Thomas (ice hockey)
Encyclopedia
Robert Wayne "Twinky" Thomas (born October 9, 1947 in Ottawa
, Ontario
) is a Canadian
former ice hockey
goaltender. Thomas was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings
but was later traded to the Montreal Canadiens
and spent roughly 3 years in the AHL
with the Canadiens minor league affiliate.
In 1972–73, in his first NHL
pro start, Thomas recorded a 3–0 shutout versus the Vancouver Canucks
on January 14, 1973. Thomas started a few games in goal right before the playoffs in order to give star netminder Ken Dryden
a rest. Thomas did not dress for a playoff game. He was included on the Stanley Cup team picture, and given a Stanley Cup Ring. However, Thomas did not play enough games to qualify to be engraved on the Stanley Cup. When Dryden decided to study law instead of tending goal Thomas played 42 games. However, Thomas was never really able to seriously contend for the starting goaltending position. In 1974–1975, Thomas was on the Canadiens' active roster for the entire season but did not play.
After his inactive 1974–75 campaign, Thomas was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs
. This is where Thomas finally enjoyed some level of success. He won 28 games and was chosen to participate in the annual NHL All-Star game
. This success was short-lived, because the following season Thomas struggled, and his position was overtaken by another Leaf goalie, Mike Palmateer
.
In 1977–78, Thomas was placed on waivers and claimed by the New York Rangers
. Thomas continued his career with the New York Rangers for 4 more years until retiring in 1981.
Thomas now serves as the general manager of the Worcester Sharks
. They are the AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks
.
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
) is a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
former ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender. Thomas was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
but was later traded to the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
and spent roughly 3 years in the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
with the Canadiens minor league affiliate.
In 1972–73, in his first NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
pro start, Thomas recorded a 3–0 shutout versus the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
on January 14, 1973. Thomas started a few games in goal right before the playoffs in order to give star netminder Ken Dryden
Ken Dryden
Kenneth Wayne Dryden, PC, is a Canadian politician, lawyer, businessman, author, and former NHL goaltender. Dryden is married with two children and four grandchildren and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame...
a rest. Thomas did not dress for a playoff game. He was included on the Stanley Cup team picture, and given a Stanley Cup Ring. However, Thomas did not play enough games to qualify to be engraved on the Stanley Cup. When Dryden decided to study law instead of tending goal Thomas played 42 games. However, Thomas was never really able to seriously contend for the starting goaltending position. In 1974–1975, Thomas was on the Canadiens' active roster for the entire season but did not play.
After his inactive 1974–75 campaign, Thomas was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. This is where Thomas finally enjoyed some level of success. He won 28 games and was chosen to participate in the annual NHL All-Star game
National Hockey League All-Star Game
The National Hockey League All-Star Game is an exhibition ice hockey game that is traditionally held at the midway point of the regular season of the National Hockey League , with many of the league's star players playing against each other...
. This success was short-lived, because the following season Thomas struggled, and his position was overtaken by another Leaf goalie, Mike Palmateer
Mike Palmateer
Michael Scott Palmateer is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goalie. He played in the NHL from 1976 to 1984 for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
.
In 1977–78, Thomas was placed on waivers and claimed by the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
. Thomas continued his career with the New York Rangers for 4 more years until retiring in 1981.
Thomas now serves as the general manager of the Worcester Sharks
Worcester Sharks
The Worcester Sharks are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . The franchise is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and play their home games at the DCU Center in Downtown Worcester. The Sharks and the city of Worcester hosted the 2009 AHL All-Star Classic.-History:On...
. They are the AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.