ARLINGTON, VA — Logan Thompson wasn’t in net for Jack Hughes’ golden goal, but that doesn’t mean the loss didn’t cut deep.
After returning from Milan on Monday, Thompson rejoined the Capitals on Wednesday for the first time since the Olympics, participating in the morning skate ahead of Washington’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Now three days removed from Canada’s overtime loss to the United States in the Gold Medal Game, Thompson was still processing the disappointment, though he still looked back on the tournament fondly.
“Good to represent my country and was really proud to do that,” he said. “A really special group of guys in that dressing room. It wasn’t the result that we wanted, but definitely put things in a different perspective for me as a player and as a Canadian.
“I think overall, dream come true. But not being able to come home with gold is going to probably sting for a while… I was in that dressing room with those guys (after the loss); it was hard. I’m just going to learn from it, and just excited to be back here and back to work.”
Thompson, unlike many of his Olympic teammates, came into the tournament with relatively little experience playing for his country, playing in just one prior international tournament — the 2022 IIHF World Championship — during his professional career. He was not selected for Canada’s 4 Nations roster last year and didn’t seem like a guaranteed pick for Milan (in part due to reportedly frosty relationships with Canada’s coaching staff) before his stellar start to the 2025-26 NHL season.
That meant getting to play alongside so many of the sport’s best players at once was a new experience for Thompson, and one that left a mark on him, even if the Games ended on a sad note.
“It was good. It was emotional,” he said. “It was awesome to talk with guys like Sid (Sidney Crosby) and (Brad) Marchand, guys who’ve been around the game — (Drew) Doughty — for so long that are going to be Hall of Fame players.”
Thompson served as backup to Jordan Binnington for Canada and was sitting on the bench when Hughes scored to give Team USA the gold. He reflected on being there with his teammates in the moments after the loss.
“It was emotional after the (Gold Medal) game too,” he said. “Seeing their reaction, obviously me just being able to put that jersey on and being on the bench was special. But it stings as well, especially for a guy like Sid. I think everyone in the room wanted to get it done for him. Yeah, it’s tough, and (I’m) still not completely over it.”
Still, Thompson has positive memories of most of his time in Milan. He also got to know his new teammates better off the ice, where the highlight was spending time cheering on his fellow Canadians in other events.
“We had a couple of days with the short track speed skating, which was a lot of fun,” he said. “Just being around all those athletes and seeing all those other sports, and just other Canadians just being proud, wearing the Maple Leaf, and everyone just all coming together, I think was just something that you really can’t explain.”
The tournament concluded just days ago, but Thompson is already looking ahead to his next chance to play at the Olympics.
“Being there with all the other countries, all those great athletes, it was definitely a really cool experience and something that will live with me forever,” he said. “I’m hoping that I can go back for one more in four more years, so that’s going to be my goal.”
While Thompson got acquainted with plenty of new teammates, he did have one familiar face in the locker room in Tom Wilson, whose performance Thompson praised. Wilson spent much of the tournament playing on Canada’s top line with Connor McDavid and Macklin Celebrini, recording four points (1g, 3a) and a Gordie Howe hat trick.
“I thought Tom was amazing in the tournament,” Thompson said. “As his teammate and his friend, couldn’t be happier for him. He deserved more, but he played his heart out. And I think he represented the Washington Capitals and Canadians really, really well.”
Thompson played one game for Canada in Milan, making 24 saves in a 5-1 win over Switzerland in the preliminary round. Watching Canada lose from off the ice was a hard pill to swallow, he said, but he commended Connor Hellebuyck’s standout play for Team USA.
“Being on that bench was tough,” he said. “We were there, I thought we were the better team all night, but sometimes you’ve got to tip your cap to a really good goalie, and we just couldn’t seem to get one in.
“It’s frustrating, but that’s what makes our sport great, is that’s how it goes sometimes. But just got to move on, and the sun will come up another day.”
Asked if he had any souvenirs from the trip, he said he brought back “(the) silver medal and just a lot of memories,” though he later commented on the now-viral plushies awarded to Olympic medalists.
“Yeah, I got the stuffed animal,” he said. “It’s cool. I mean, it’s obviously a part of the experience. Overall, it was nothing bad and only good memories.”
He also figured he’d dig something out for Brandon Duhaime, who publicly requested a gift from Milan, as a late wedding present.
“I’ll look through my bag. I’m sure I can find something for him,” he said with a smile.
Thompson now turns his sights to the Capitals’ final 23 games of the season as the team looks to make a late postseason push. Washington currently sits four points out of a playoff spot but has the most games played in the NHL.
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery confirmed after the team’s morning skate that Thompson will start against the Flyers on Wednesday night. Thompson has played just one game since February 5, the preliminary win over Switzerland, but Carbery isn’t worried about rust.
“He’s been taking flank one-timers from Nathan MacKinnon — I think he’ll be all right,” he said, grinning. “He’s been over there and playing in as intense practice scenarios — I don’t care if it’s warm-up, whatever it is. He’s still completely dialed in over there and making sure his game is in as good a spot as it could possibly be. So him coming back and traveling back, I (have) zero concerns. “
Thompson himself put it more succinctly.
“I was skating with 25 of the best players in the world,” he said. “I’m hoping I’ll be okay.”
