Devastating news strikes as former New York Rangers goaltender sadly passes away at 77-years old
Photo credit: NHL.com
Devastating news strikes the hockey community as the San Jose Sharks organization confirms the passing of former New York Rangers goaltender, Wayne Thomas who sadly passed at 77-years old, after a very long battle with cancer.
Thomas was born in Ottawa, Ont., on Oct. 9, 1947, and started his hockey career with the Central Canada Hockey League, playing for his hometown Ottawa Capitals.
Thomas only made his professional debut in 1970-71 with the Canadians' AHL affiliate, the Montreal Voyageurs, as the Toronto Maple Leafs originally held Thomas' NHL rights, which he was later traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1968, and then to the Montreal Canadiens in 1970.
However, in 1972-73, Thomas made his NHL debut with the Montreal Canadiens, posting an 8-1-0 record and .911 SV% in 10 appearances. Which helped the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup that year. Following that he spent the entire 1974-75 season as the Canadiens third-string goalie, before he was traded back to the Maple Leafs in June 1975.
Thomas would play a career-high 64 games in 1975-76, posting a 28-24-12 record, .900 SV% and 3.20 GAA, being named an NHL All-Star. He ended his NHL playing career in 1981, going 103-93-34 with a 3.34 GAA and .891 with the Canadians, Maple Leafs and New York Rangers.
Wayne Thomas was then hired as a goaltending coach for the Rangers, before becoming the head coach of the International Hockey League's Salt Lake Golden Eagles.
Thomas also served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues between 1987 and 1993. Ahead of the 1993-94 season, he was hired by the San Jose Sharks as both an assistant coach and an assistant to the general manager.
«Over the next 21 years, he would take on a more advanced, day-to-day role in working with the Sharks goaltenders and ultimately, become the team's assistant general manager, where he was involved in all aspects of the Sharks on- and off-ice operations,» Stated the Sharks.
After 45 years in professional hockey, Thomas decided to retire as the Sharks' vice president and assistant general manager back in 2015.
On behalf of everyone here at NY Rangers Insider, we'd like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Wayne Thomas as they navigate through this difficult time.
May you rest in peace.
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JUILLET 16 | 121 ANSWERS Devastating news strikes as former New York Rangers goaltender sadly passes away at 77-years old Rest in Peace, Wayne Thomas. | ||
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