Thompson: Enjoying the journey

MONTREAL - Nate Thompson has enjoyed a long career in the NHL, one which has spanned more than 680 games and which has taken him to more than a handful of exciting places along the way.

But in looking back at his journey, the veteran centerman - drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round (183rd overall) in 2003 - had a hard time singling out his favorite stop, although he's more than a little excited about the one he's currently on.
"I've been very fortunate. I've played in some good places. I don't know if one really stands out; they're all pretty different," admitted Thompson, who played for the Bruins, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, and Los Angeles Kings before joining the Habs via trade on February 11. "I'd have to say this one's right up there. Playing in an Original Six, a historic franchise like the Montreal Canadiens, it's been pretty cool."

His appreciation for the aura of the Original Six has much to do with the fact he grew up cheering for the Detroit Red Wings back home.
"Being from Alaska, you root for whomever. I was a big Stevie Y [Yzerman] fan when I was really young. I just loved the way they played," described Thompson, who hails from Anchorage. "They were pretty successful after they had those off-years in the beginning. There were so many other players on the team like Kris Draper, Sergei Fedorov and those guys; I just loved watching them play."
Of course, Thompson's roots also led him to a more direct connection with the Canadiens, as he considers himself a good friend of former Hab and fellow Alaskan Scott Gomez.
"He put Alaska on the map with everything he did in his career, winning two Stanley Cups," Thompson said of the former Calder Trophy winner who recorded 108 points (21G, 87A) in 196 games for Montreal from 2009-2012. "When I was younger, he helped me out and taught me how to be a pro. We worked out together for a few summers up there. We still remain close."

The pair even got to play together on home soil during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, suiting up for the Alaska Aces in the ECHL until NHL play resumed.
"It was cool. It was one of those things where I'm never going to get a chance like that again to play at home," recalled Thompson. "To play with other guys in the NHL, to play with Scott, it was one of those things I couldn't pass up. I'm really glad I did it."
After Thompson was acquired from the Kings, the two friends and one-time teammates connected via message to talk about the deal.
"He texted me. He just started laughing. He said: 'Enjoy, you're going to have a great time.' That was pretty much it," shared Thompson. "We always text each other, we keep in touch. He was really excited for me."
Thompson has carved out an important role for himself in the League, earning a reputation as a strong faceoff man who can play up and down the lineup and in any number of situations.
"When I was in the minors and I had to find my niche here in the NHL, it was always those little things that I had to be good at. Winning faceoffs, killing penalties, playing strong defensively," outlined Thompson, who recorded 134 points (57G, 77A) and won 52.5% of his draws in 672 career games before getting traded to Montreal. "Over the course of my career, I've tried to evolve and become better in other areas - offensively, making plays, working on my skating, making sure I can still be fast out there, just rounding out my game to be a complete player."
His pedigree came in handy right off the hop in Montreal. Thompson was thrown right into the mix in his first game as a Hab at the Bell Centre, pivoting the top line in Phillip Danault's absence in a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 19.

Head coach Claude Julien, who was with the Bruins when Thompson first joined that organization in the early 2000's, liked what he saw that night.
"He did it easily, but he's an experienced guy; he's been in the League a long time. He's a guy who's able to adjust quickly," Julien said the day after the game of Thompson, who was awarded the prestigious cape in the room for his efforts. "He's a guy who's very smart, very good at faceoffs. Without Danault [for the game], it was important to see him at his best in those situations. I think he responded well to a challenge that maybe surprised him. I thought he did a good job."
The 34-year-old may have been a little caught off-guard by the weight of his assignment in his first game in his new hockey home, but there's no doubt he relished it - especially given that Thompson had waived his limited no-trade clause to come to Montreal.
"It was pretty incredible. The first period, I was trying to catch my breath because my adrenalin was going so much. I was pretty pumped up," he recounted of the game against the Blue Jackets. "It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I've been on the other side of [playing at the Bell Centre] and it's pretty amazing, but to be a Hab and do it was pretty special."