Badgers’ first NHLer Thomas passes away

MADISON, Wis. – Former Wisconsin men’s hockey goaltender Wayne Thomas passed away on Wednesday at the age of 77.

A two-time letterwinner (1968-70), Thomas backstopped the Badgers to the program’s first NCAA tournament appearance, earning Team MVP in 1970 under head coach Bob Johnson. He became the 1970 Second-Team All-WCHA goaltender to make him one of UW’s first three All-WCHA players in program history during its first season in the conference.

In two varsity seasons, Thomas went 23-13-1 with a 2.84 goals-against average, a .909 save percentage and three shutouts. He ranks 10th all-time for UW in goals-against average and 11th in save percentage.

Thomas went on to become the first Badger to play in the NHL and the first to win the Stanley Cup, helping Montreal to the title in 1973. He moved along to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two seasons (1975-77) and the New York Rangers for four (1977-81). While with Toronto, Thomas became the first Badger to play in an NHL All-Star Game, earning the victory at the 1976 contest.

He finished his NHL career with a 103-93-34 record to go along with a 3.34 goals-against average, .891 save percentage and 10 shutouts in 243 games played. He also went 6-8-0 with a 3.54 goals-against average, .898 save percentage and a shutout in 15 playoff games.

After his eight-year playing career wrapped up, the Ottawa, Ontario, native moved into coaching goaltenders for the Rangers, remaining in the role through 1985.

He then spent two seasons as head coach of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles of the IHL, winning a league title and earning coach of the year in his second season.

Thomas returned to the NHL in 1986 and served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues, before joining the San Jose Sharks in 1993 as assistant to the general manager and an assistant coach. He eventually became an assistant general manager and then added vice president to his title, from which he retired in 2015.