Men’s Hockey News

It was a proud moment for the Brock men's hockey program.

On Thursday, Jan. 5, former Badgers goaltender Logan Thompson was named to the Pacific Division roster for the 2023 NHL All-Star Weekend, which will be held in Sunrise, Florida from Feb. 3-4.

The achievement is a reminder of Thompson's origin story, which includes Brock University, an institution he credits with playing a key role in making the NHL.

For Brock head coach T.J. Manastersky, it's a signifier of the quality of Canadian university hockey. 

"U SPORTS hockey is the best kept secret in hockey. This level produces pro hockey players at the same rate as the NCAA," said Manastersky, who previously played and coached in the NCAA. "It's the most fun you will ever have playing hockey, representing your school while living, studying, and competing with your teammates. All while achieving a quality education."

A 6-foot-4, 205-pound native of Calgary, Alberta, Thompson is the first rookie goalie named an NHL All-Star since 2016. 

Although Thompson appeared in his first NHL game in 2021, an NHL rookie is defined as a player must not have played in more than 25 NHL games in any preceding seasons, nor in six or more NHL games in each of any two preceding seasons.

He's currently in the conversation for the 2023 Calder Trophy as rookie of the year. 

Thompson has started 28 times in between the pipes for the Golden Knights. He currently sports an overall record of 18-10-1 (W-L-OTL) with a .914 save percentage and 2.66 goals against average, which are both above league average. He also has two shutouts.

While studying Sport Management at Brock just three years ago, Thompson helped the Badgers set a program record 19 wins during the 2018-19 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) season.

That season he finished second in the OUA with a .934 save percentage and 2.22 goals against average. He was later named OUA Goalie of the Year, Rookie of the Year and a First Team All-Star for his efforts.

Thompson signed a contract with the New Jersey Devils' East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) affiliate, the Adirondack Thunder, shortly after the Badgers season came to an end.

He landed with the South Carolina Stingrays, the Washington Capitals' ECHL affiliate, and then the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL) before signing with the Golden Knights as an undrafted free agent on a two-year entry level contract in the summer of 2020.

Thompson made his NHL debut against the Minnesota Wild on March 11, 2021 while stepping into the crease in relief of Marc-Andre Fleury.

He was ultimately sent to Vegas' AHL affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights, where he would go on to be named the AHL's best goaltender for the 2020-21 season with the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award.

The following season he became the first former Canadian university netminder to start an NHL game since 1990 when he suited up for Vegas on Jan. 4, 2022.