Wayne Thomas, a former goaltender who spent his final 4 years within the NHL with the Rangers, died Monday after a battle with most cancers, the Sharks mentioned in an announcement on Wednesday. He was 77.
An undrafted netminder out of Ottawa, Ontario, Thomas loved an eight-year profession within the league earlier than he made the bounce into administration. He performed for the Canadiens, Maple Leafs and the Rangers, who claimed him within the 1977 Waiver Draft to function a tandem with John Davidson.
When he hung up the skates in 1981, Thomas completed with a 103-93-34 report, a 3.34 goals-against common and 10 shutouts.
He posted a 34-43-11 report over 4 years with the Blueshirts.
The Rangers employed Thomas as a goaltending coach after he retired, making him one of many first of his form in skilled hockey. He remained in that submit by way of the 1984-85 season.
Thomas later grew to become the top coach of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles within the Worldwide Hockey League. The Golden Eagles gained the Turner Cup, the league’s championship trophy, in simply his second 12 months on the helm – a feat he earned the Commissioner’s Trophy for because the IHL’s Coach of the 12 months.
After serving as an assistant coach with the Blackhawks and Blues, Thomas joined the Sharks as assistant to the overall supervisor and assistant coach.
The Canadian made his mark on the group over the following 21 years, rising from a day-to-day goalie coach to assistant common supervisor.
Thomas capped 45 years in hockey when he retired from his submit because the Sharks’ vp and assistant common supervisor in 2015.
Based on the Sharks, Thomas handed peacefully at house surrounded by his household.
