Wayne Thomas

Robert Wayne Thomas (October 9, 1947 – July 16, 2025) was a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers between 1972 and 1981. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, he played junior hockey from 1963 to 1967 with the Ottawa Capitals of the Central Canada Hockey League, where he was the league's top goaltender in 1965–66. He then attended the University of Wisconsin, playing varsity hockey for the Wisconsin Badgers under coach Bob Johnson and recording a shutout victory against Pennsylvania in his first game with the team. Thomas was named second-team All-WCHA for the 1969–70 season and was the team's MVP that year, when Wisconsin made its first appearance in the Frozen Four tournament in Lake Placid, New York, in 1970. He ranks among the top 10 all-time Wisconsin goaltenders in save percentage (.909, ninth) and goals against average (2.84, tenth). After his playing career, Thomas held several coaching and management positions in the NHL and the minor leagues, including 22 years in management with the San Jose Sharks.