EXCLUSIVE: Former Golden Knight Responds To Comments On Role Had He Been Chosen To Represent Team Canada at 4 Nations
The former Vegas goalie said he would have been honored if chosen to represent his home country, regardless of his role on the team
LAS VEGAS -- It seems like the Logan Thompson-Adin Hill narrative just won't go away.
The most recent comments come from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, who asks his "32 Thoughts" co-host Kyle Bukauskas if he wants to know his theory as to why Thompson didn't make Team Canada's roster for the 4 Nations event.
"He didn't like playing behind Adin Hill before, so Team Canada wasn't dealing with that dynamic," Friedman says to Bukauskas. "That's my theory. I'm sticking to it. Someone tell me I'm wrong."
Whether or not Friedman was told that from inside Team Canada's camp, it couldn't be further from the truth, according to the Capitals' star goaltender.
"From my side, completely untrue," Thompson told The Hockey News via text message on Tuesday. "I was never contacted. I did have chats with my agent regarding the possibilities of what my role would be if chosen."
And with that, Thompson relayed to Team Canada - through his agent, Al Roy - that he would be honored to represent his country, regardless of where he was slotted in the goalie rotation.
"I would have just been happy to be a part of the team," Thompson added.
Team Canada will be represented in net by Golden Knights starter Hill, Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues and Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens.
When asked about it after his 4-2 win in Montreal on Dec. 7, Thompson told reporters: "Hockey Canada never reached out to me or anything like that, so I kind of knew before that I wasn't on their list. I'm still cheering for them. I hope Monty goes out there, I hope he kills it. Monty, Hilly and Binner - congrats to them. I'm still gonna be cheering for Team Canada and hopefully they go and win it all."
Thompson reiterated his sentiments Tuesday, also saying he didn't know the criteria for final selections, but held no animosity whatsoever. He also said any innuendo dating back to those accusing him of not wanting to be a co-starter in Vegas is untrue.
Thompson was signed by Vegas as an undrafted free agent in July 2020, was named AHL Goaltender of the Year in 2021, and represented the Knights in the 2023 NHL All-Star Game. He also was a member of Vegas' Stanley Cup team in 2023, and split time with Hill last season.
Thompson requested a trade this past summer so he would get the chance to prove himself as a legitimate starter in the NHL. Vegas traded him to Washington in June.
Thompson has made 14 starts and is 11-1-2 with a 2.48 goals-against average and .913 save percentage, while teammate Charlie Lindgren is 8-5-0 with a 2.80 GAA and .897 SV% in 13 starts.
"I’m not sure what process goes on when choosing a team," Thompson also told The Hockey News, in regards to 4 Nations. "They chose three great goalies. I’m looking forward to moving on with the Capitals and having a great season."
