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After 15 seasons in the NHL, journeyman Nate Thompson has decided to retire from the game. A Bruins’ sixth round pick in 2003, the centerman played only four games with Boston before being traded to the Islanders, the second of the nine NHL teams he would eventually play for. Overall, he played 844 games in which he collected 164 points, 401 penalty minutes and maintained a 52.9% success rate at the face-off circle.
He was acquired by the Canadiens in the run-up to the 2019 trade deadline from the Los Angeles Kings in return for a 4th round pick at the 2019 NHL draft. His stay in Montreal was short-lived as general manager Marc Bergevin sent him to the Philadelphia Flyers at the following trade deadline in return for a fifth-round pick at the 2021 draft.
While he only spent part of two seasons with the Canadiens, he played a pivotal role in the development of two of the organization’s young centers: Nick Suzuki and Jake Evans. Known for his prowess at the face-off dot, Thompson spent countless hours in practice giving tips and advice to the youngsters.
A complete pro, Thompson was exactly the kind of veteran you want to have around to inspire your young players. A guy that was drafted so late and who made his way to the NHL and managed to stay in a support role must be doing something right, especially once he got a bit older and had to compete with younger players for spots in the line-up.
Things weren’t always easy for Thompson though, as he had to battle with alcohol and drugs addiction. He had his first drink at 11 and by the age of 16or 17, the only way for him to be comfortable in his own skin was to drink and do drugs. By his mid-twenties, he started doing cocaine, molly and mushrooms.
Back in 2020, he opened up in an interview with HNIC’s Christine Simpson and admitted that he did practice when drunk or high. Former Ducks captain and teammate Ryan Getzlaf did at one point ask him if he needed help, but he turned him down. It wasn’t until he hit rock bottom at a wedding and called his mom to get advice that he finally decided to seek help and go to a meeting. That experience gave him a new lease of life and taught him that there’s no shame in asking for help and that it’s ok to ask for help. Having gone through all that, Thompson was in a good position to provide advice and tell his own cautionary tale to his young teammates.
Meanwhile, two coaches who once worked for the Canadiens found new homes in the NHL. Kirk Muller was named assistant coach with the Capitals and Guy Boucher was given the same role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Boucher never coached the Habs but he did coach their AHL affiliate before getting his first opportunity in the NHL.