NHL Debut: Jack Thompson (Jan. 6, 2024)

Former Sudbury Wolves captain and Soo Greyhounds defenceman Jack Thompson saw his first NHL action on Saturday night as the Tampa Bay Lightning fell to the Bruins by a score of 7-3 in Boston. The 21-year-old Thompson skated in 11:39 minutes of action, recording one shot on goal along with two hits.

A product of Courtice, Ont., Thompson played three seasons in the OHL from 2018-22, entering the league as a second-round (30th overall) pick by the Wolves in 2018 to play in 180 regular season contests, recording 40 goals, 65 assists and 105 points. He finished his career in Sault Ste. Marie, with an outstanding performance in the 2022 OHL Playoffs with 14 points (6-8–14) over nine games. Thompson also represented Canada internationally at the 2022 World Juniors, winning gold as he recorded four points (1-3–4) over seven games.

Thompson was selected by Tampa in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, and has spent the past two seasons in the Lightning organization, producing 23 points (8-15–23) over 71 games in 2022-23, following-up with 20 points (2-18–20) in 31 games with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch so far this season.

Then ⏭️ Now 🥹 @jackthompson_22 pic.twitter.com/VMosB5C4ro

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) January 6, 2024