Wayne Thomas, who spent his entire professional career in professional hockey, died of cancer at his home in Falmouth, Mass. on Wednesday. The eight-year National Hockey League goalkeeper and former San Jose Sharks vice president was 77.
A native of Ottawa, Thomas attended the University of Wisconsin and played three seasons (1968-70) for the legendary Bob Johnson, who would go on to winning a Stanley Cup as head coach of the 1990-91 Pittsburgh Penguins.
Thomas made his NHL debut for the Montreal Canadiens during the 1972-73 season and became the 10th goalie in league history to record a shutout in his debut as Montreal blanked Vancouver, 3-0 on Jan. 14, 1973. He became the first Wisconsin Badger to play in the NHL.
Thomas was a member of the Stanley Cup winning Montreal squad in 1972-73, although he did not play any games in the playoffs. He was traded to Toronto and earned All-Star Team honors in 1975-76. After two years in Toronto, he played his final four seasons with the New York Rangers (1977-81).
After he retired in 1981, Thomas had several stints as a goalie coach with the Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues over the next decade. In addition, he served as head coach in the International Hockey League for Rangers’ and Blues’ affiliates.
In 1993, the San Jose Sharks — a second-year NHL franchise — hired Thomas as an assistant to the general manager and assistant coach. He worked behind the bench for three seasons, before going upstairs as assistant GM. Thomas became a vice president for the Sharks in 2001 and remained in both roles until his retirement in 2015.
–Field Level Media
