After winning his 50th career game with the Washington Capitals on Thursday, Logan Thompson was excited about what’s coming next.
Thompson, who was named to Canada’s Olympic hockey team along with Capitals forward Tom Wilson on December 31, is joining the team this weekend, taking a train to New Jersey on Saturday and then flying out to Milano Cortina shortly after. Thompson’s mom and dad are also flying out to Italy to root him on.
Thompson’s nod to his country’s national team is the second time he’s played internationally. Previously, he suited up for Team Canada at the 2022 World Championship, posting a record of 3-1-0 along with a 3.00 goals against average and an .881 save percentage.
While Thompson is widely expected to be the team’s starter — he’s stopped 18.3 goals above expected this season, which ranks third-most in the league — the Capitals netminder has no expectations of how much he’ll play going into the Games.
“I’m going to just go there and soak it all in and do any role that they want me to be, whether that’s practice goalie or back up, you know, hand out the water bottles,” Thompson said. “I’m just going to be happy to be there and going to do whatever I can to the best that I can.”
The other goaltenders on Canada’s roster include Jordan Binnington, who was the team’s starter in the 4 Nations Face Off that won gold, and Darcy Kuemper, a Vezina Trophy finalist last season.
Growing up in Alberta, Thompson was a hockey fanatic and huge Calgary Flames fan, which makes his appearance on the team that much more special. His most vivid Team Canada memory was a goal scored by Alex Ovechkin‘s biggest rival at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
“Yeah, it was the Sidney Crosby golden goal from Iginla, being a Calgary kid,” Thompson said. “Iggy was one of my favorite players growing up, and just I remember that play and watching at home and just being so pumped as a kid. So now it’s just cool to be there and wear that jersey and just kind of wear it with pride.”
Before puck drop on Thursday against the Nashville Predators, the Capitals gave their three Olympians — Thompson, Wilson, and Team Slovakia’s Martin Fehervary — a special send-off. Capitals PA announcer Wes Johnson introduced each player to the crowd while a skater held up their home nation’s flag.
“Yeah, it was cool,” Thompson said. “They gave us a heads up that they were doing a little ceremony, and yeah, it was cool. I’m really thankful. I’m thankful that the Caps did that for us, and I know all three of us are excited to go, and I know we’re going to represent the Capitals well.”
