Stu Cowan: Nate Thompson earned 'Uncle Nate' nickname with Canadiens

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“Uncle Nate” has determined to hold up his skates.

After taking part in 15 seasons and 844 video games within the NHL with 9 completely different groups, Nate Thompson has retired as a hockey participant at age 38 after taking part in 30 video games final season with the AHL’s Ontario Reign. He completed his professional profession in the identical league the place he began in 2005 with the Windfall Bruins after being chosen by Boston within the sixth spherical (183rd general) of the 2003 NHL Draft.

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“I believed in myself and I knew that I may play within the NHL, however I by no means in my wildest desires thought I’d play so long as I did,” Thompson mentioned in a cellphone interview Wednesday from his dwelling in Studio Metropolis, Calif.

“I believe I’m most happy with simply how related I stored myself over the course of my profession,” Thompson added. “My consistency. You look again on my profession, I used to be by no means a man that was actually ever taking part in on a 3rd line. Possibly generally, however the majority of my profession I used to be a fourth-line man and I used to be in a position to maintain that for nicely over 800 video games. On the identical time, I used to be by no means actually a wholesome scratch. I can say that about my profession … I used to be by no means a man that was out and in of the lineup. I used to be just about a daily my entire profession. So I believe for me simply the longevity and the consistency of my profession, I’m fairly happy with that.”

He must be. Thompson can be very happy with the very fact he has been sober for nearly seven years now after battling alcohol and drug habit.

Thompson solely scored 65 objectives and added 99 assists throughout his profession, by no means scoring greater than 10 objectives or getting greater than 25 factors in a season. However he knew his position as a fourth-line centre and performed it very nicely, making himself a worthwhile commodity. In accordance with CapFriendly.com, Thompson earned greater than US$15 million throughout his profession.

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The Anchorage, Alaska, native performed 88 video games with the Canadiens over two seasons — 2018-19 and 2019-20. He additionally performed for the Bruins, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Geese, Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, Philadelphia Flyers and Winnipeg Jets.

It was throughout his time with the Canadiens that Thompson earned the nickname “Uncle Nate” — which completely match his position with the staff.

Who first referred to as him “Uncle Nate”?

“That’s an excellent query,” Thompson mentioned with a chuckle. “I can’t bear in mind who … it might need been Gally (Brendan Gallagher). I’m guessing it’s him or possibly Lehky (Artturi Lehkonen). It’s a kind of two guys, I believe, who got here up with it.”

Did he just like the nickname?

“I did,” Thompson mentioned. “It grew on me. On social media and stuff Montreal followers nonetheless name me Uncle Nate, which is fairly humorous.”

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In his position as “Uncle Nate”, he served as a mentor to rookie Nick Suzuki, who began out as a winger on the fourth line with Thompson at centre in 2019.

“Everybody at all times says, ‘You probably did such an excellent job of mentoring Nick Suzuki,’” Thompson mentioned. ” I’m like, ‘Yeah, I didn’t actually should do a lot.’ He’s an excellent child, he is aware of be a professional.

“From the time I met him when he was 19 or 20, he was mature past his years,” Thompson added. “His hockey IQ is off the charts and he loves the sport. I believe he simply has a ardour for the sport and he works so laborious at it. He’s simply such an excellent professional and he’s such an excellent man. He truly helped me so much, too, after I obtained to play with him. He was one among my favorite gamers I ever performed with. I’m not stunned he’s captain of the Montreal Canadiens. He’s ultra-competitive and cares and needs to be the perfect on the market.”

Thompson nonetheless retains in contact with Suzuki and obtained a pleasant message from him after asserting his retirement final month.

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Hanging up his skates received’t be straightforward for Thompson, however he’s hoping to remain within the recreation. He could be an ideal match with an NHL staff in some form of player-development position.

“I believe I’m nonetheless in unchartered territory simply because now it’s nonetheless the low season,” he mentioned about adjusting to retirement. “I believe it’s going to hit me extra when the season’s going and guys are heading again to coaching camp and all these issues. You’re lacking out on that half. I believe greater than something it’s going to be lacking being across the guys. That’s probably the most particular time. I believe that’s the half I’ll miss probably the most, for certain.”

What’s the perfect recommendation he has for a younger participant beginning out within the NHL at present?

“I believe I’d simply say take in each second and don’t take it without any consideration,” Thompson mentioned. “Attending to play within the Nationwide Hockey League is a privilege and if you are able to do it for a very long time it’s a dream.”

Thompson was in a position to reside it.

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