Logan Thompson was considered one of the biggest snubs from the rosters put together for the 4 Nations Face-Off when they were announced in early December. The Canadian netminder had performed the best among his countrymen at his position, where Canada has little depth.
Thompson has only continued to prove his nation’s decision-makers wrong. Since Hockey Canada’s December 4 decision to exclude him, Thompson has posted a 12-1-1 record for the Washington Capitals with a 1.67 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage.
Despite those gaudy numbers, Thompson revealed to The FAN Hockey Show on Wednesday that he still hasn’t heard from Canadian team management.
“They never reached out to me, and that didn’t upset me,” Thompson said. “It didn’t surprise me when I was left off the team.”
Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens were the three goalies chosen before Thompson. If one of them were to be injured before now and the start of the tournament (February 12), Thompson would be eligible as a replacement, but he still doesn’t think he’d get the nod.
“If there was to be an injury, I know I probably won’t get that call, and that’s okay,” he added. “They’ve got their guys, and I just hope that Canada goes out there and wins it all.”
Bruce Cassidy and Pete DeBoer, two of Thompson’s former head coaches with the Vegas Golden Knights, are on Canada’s coaching staff at the tournament. At the end of last season, Thompson requested a trade from Vegas and has previously joked that the Golden Knights’ system takes credit for all of the team’s goaltending.
Thompson is not alone among Capitals players snubbed from the tournament. No player from Washington was chosen to play.
“I’m just having so much fun,” Thompson said. “I think we all were a bit surprised with how good and strong our team has been to not have one guy represent their nation, so I think that fuels us as a whole to keep this thing going.”
The 4 Nations Face-Off will replace this year’s NHL All-Star Game and run from February 12 to 20. The games between Canada, the United States, Sweden, and Finland will be held in Boston and Montreal.
