2011 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Tim Thomas returning to the Bruins!

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Hunter Bowman
August 8, 2023 (4:58 PM)

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Tim Thomas, the iconic goalie who led the Boston Bruins to their first Stanley Cup victory since 1972, is poised to rejoin the Bruins family.

In the latest episode of 'Bear Tracks,' a Boston Bruins social media show hosted by Eric Russo, the legendary netminder expressed his excitement about being a part of the Bruins' Centennial celebration in the upcoming season.

"It's something I'm looking forward to," said Thomas, speaking from his new home in Barre, Vermont. "It's going to be good to see some old teammates. The Bruins have planned a lot of great events, so it should be an enjoyable season."

Thomas and Russo recently participated in rebuilding YouthBuild's facility in Barre, which was damaged by severe floods that affected various locations in Vermont.

"It's been a wonderful experience," Thomas shared with Russo. "I got introduced to YouthBuild, a remarkable organization that's making a positive impact on numerous young individuals, guiding them towards a brighter future. Being able to lend a hand was truly rewarding."

YouthBuild is a nationwide initiative that provides vocational training and educational pathways to young adults aged 16 to 24 across various trades.

At 49 years old, Tim Thomas seems to have found a renewed zest for life. He's moved past the challenging period that marked the end of his playing career and the initial years following his retirement from the NHL in the 2013-14 season while with the Dallas Stars.

Thomas had relocated to Colorado but had largely remained out of the public eye, grappling with post-concussion symptoms. His reemergence occurred in 2019 when he was inducted into the US Hockey Hall of Fame.

During that event, Thomas disclosed that a brain scan had revealed that two-thirds of his brain received less than 5% blood flow, while the remaining third averaged about 50%.

"Many know by now that I don't have much to say publicly," Thomas acknowledged during a conference call with reporters on September 4, 2019. "I've opted to keep my personal endeavors private, both now and likely indefinitely."

Thomas' departure from the Boston Bruins organization was swift, involving a trade to the New York Islanders at the outset of the 2012-13 lockout-shortened season.

Although he didn't play for the Islanders, he joined the Florida Panthers the following season, appearing in 40 games and posting a 16-20-3 record, with a 2.87 GAA and a .909 save percentage. Subsequently traded to the Dallas Stars, Thomas went 2-4-1 with a 2.97 GAA and a .902 save percentage.

Originally, Thomas hadn't envisioned a return to Boston, let alone participating in a TD Garden event.

"I just don't see it," Thomas remarked in 2019. "I have other interests. I have a totally different focus. I live in a different world now compared to the hockey world I inhabited before. I'm quite far away from Boston, and travel doesn't hold the same appeal for me anymore. It's not a reflection on the Boston Bruins or their fans, especially. My goodness, they supported me wholeheartedly during my time there, to the point where it was overwhelming."

Now, it appears that the goaltender who carried a team and a city to the pinnacle of victory in the 2011 Stanley Cup is ready to re-embrace a fan base that has been eager to express their gratitude and admiration.

POLL
Would you be excited to see Tim Thomas rejoin the Boston Bruins' Centennial celebration and connect with the fan base once again?
Yes	173	94.5 %
No	10	5.5 %
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