Photo: Kavin Mistry/AHL
The American Hockey League is joining the hockey community to remember Wayne Thomashe died at the age of 77 after a long battle with cancer.
Thomas spent 45 seasons in professional hockey, serving as a player, coach and executive, starting his rookie season as goalkeeper for the AHL Montreal Navigator and began in 1970-71. His 11-year career includes the Calder Cup championship in Nova Scotia in 1972, and 243 games in the NHL with Montreal, Toronto and the New York Rangers.
After retiring in 1981, Thomas joined the Rangers staff as one of the first goalkeeper coaches in professional hockey games, and later he will work with potential goalkeepers from the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues organization. Thomas spent 22 years with the San Jose Sharks, where he worked as an assistant coach, later as an assistant general manager and vice president, and general manager of the American Hockey League branch in Kentucky, Cleveland and Worcester.
Thomas was recognized by the AHL as honorary captain at the 2024 AHL All-Star Classic in San Jose.
