Thompson Excited for NHL Debut in Hometown Toronto

As usual, it comes down to family.

Jack Thompson is about to make his hometown NHL debut on Monday night, as his San Jose Sharks visit the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“My family…They made a bunch of sacrifices for me,” Thompson told San Jose Hockey Now on Sunday, when asked who he would like to thank for helping him reach this NHL dream. “All the teammates and coaches that I had in this area, throughout the years, have been instrumental in helping me get here.”

The 22-year-old rookie estimated that around 20 hometown family and friends will support him at Scotiabank Arena. He grew up in nearby Courtice, Ontario, less than an hour drive away from Toronto.

Notably, Thompson grew up with San Jose Barracuda winger Ethan Cardwell. Cardwell will be watching from afar.

“He’s pumped. He’s excited,” Thompson said.

Thompson said a couple of their mutual friends will be in the stands, and perhaps Cardwell’s parents too.

Thompson was a 2020 Tampa Bay Lightning third-round pick. The San Jose Sharks acquired him last year at the Trade Deadline.

Thompson has had an up-and-down season, normal for a young blueliner. He has two goals and five points in 21 appearances, and has averaged 15:59 a night.

But San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky liked what he saw from Thompson in his last game at the Ottawa Senators: “He had a simple hockey game. Sometimes, when you don’t notice a player, usually that’s a good thing. When you’re trying to find your game, the simpler you are, that’s usually your best. He was moving pucks, he was making reads.”

So hopefully, Thompson can keep it up in what’s surely going to be an emotional game for him.

“I grew up coming to Leafs games as a kid,” Thompson said.

He says that he grew up watching Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly closely and was in Scotiabank Arena for an Alex Ovechkin hat trick.

“Skating around in warm-ups, the national anthem, I think that’s the part where you can soak it in,” Thompson said. “And then once the puck drops, every game kind of feels similar. You zone out and just play. I’m looking forward to just being out there. And then, after the game, to be able to see everyone will be special.”