Thomas lands a big score
Bruins goaltender a Vezina finalist
WILMINGTON - Throughout Tim Thomas's career, he has spent much time trying to prove naysayers wrong about his ability to be successful in the National Hockey League. For example, the Bruins' goaltender was voted the team's Seventh Player Award winner twice (in 2006 and '07) as the player exceeding expectations.
Thomas is no longer surprising anyone. Yesterday, the veteran was informed that he had been named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, given to the "goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position." The other finalists are Columbus rookie Steve Mason and Minnesota's Niklas Backstrom. The winner, which will be announced June 18, is voted on by the league's 30 general managers.
The last time a Bruin won the Vezina Trophy was 26 years ago, when Pete Peeters took it home. Thomas, who turned 35 this month, appreciates the recognition.
"It's quite an honor," he said. "Just breaking into the NHL a few years ago, you're always trying to make your goals bigger but you want to make them reasonable - one step at a time.
"Being a Vezina finalist was always off my radar, I think. As the year went on this year, I realized that there might be a chance. It's quite an honor."
In recent days, Thomas has been under the weather with flulike symptoms. He played Games 3 and 4 against the Canadiens while not feeling well, but the Bruins completed the sweep of Montreal, so he has been able to get some much-needed rest. He missed the two practices prior to yesterday's.
"This is the ninth day and I've still got it," he said. "It's nowhere near as bad as it was on Days 4 and 5, but this thing just suckers a mean one."
For a good portion of his career, it was Thomas who was hanging on. Midway through the 2005-06 season, the Bruins recalled him from Providence, but because he had to clear waivers, the organization all but bade him goodbye, expecting another club to grab him. According to Thomas, Providence coach Scott Gordon said, in essence, "It was good working with you."
But no one claimed Thomas, and he remained with Boston. The rest, as they say, is history.
"I haven't spent that much time what-iffing," said Thomas. "Earlier in my career I did because I wasn't getting anywhere, NHL-wise. I haven't what-iffed lately. Having a level of success, it's easier not to."
Instead, Thomas signed a four-year contract extension April 3 that includes a no-trade clause.
"It's the biggest security that I will have had at any point in my career," he said, "but it's been around for so little [time], the impact hasn't set in.
"It's pretty amazing. From being the guy sent down to Providence 3 1/2 years ago to where it is right now, it's been quite a journey."
Coach Claude Julien said Thomas's talents haven't been a secret for quite some time.
"There's no doubt his story is going to make for a real good story when it is all said and done," said Julien. "I just think that at what point, what do you got to keep proving? To me, he doesn't have to prove anything.
"He's a good goaltender and he's earned that. He's earned that through everything he's got. He's getting recognition now for possibly being a Vezina Trophy winner. He's played All-Star games. Well, where does it end?
"You prove to yourself that you've got to come in and compete every day and be the best you can, but I don't think he has to prove to anybody that he belongs in this league or that he's not a good goaltender in this league. I think everybody has acknowledged that and I think it's been acknowledged for quite a while now."
Whether or not Thomas wins the Vezina, his focus is on the team and its goal of winning it all.
"There is still more this team wants to accomplish this year and in the future," he said. "It's kind of changed from, 'Now prove them wrong,' to 'Prove them right.' So I still have something to play for.
"I got an opportunity to show on a daily basis what I could do over the course of a few years and that all built up. That's what ultimately led to me re-signing.
"They had the confidence to re-sign me based on those few years. Now I want to prove them right. Two years ago, in the summer when I put on my list [of goals] to make the All-Star Game, that was really unrealistic at the time."
He reached that goal twice, and now nothing appears unrealistic.
One of the reasons the Bruins are top contenders to win the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1972 is the play of Thomas. Veteran forward Mark Recchi said the team appreciates the competitive spirit that he brings to each game and practice.
"He's got a great story behind him," said Recchi. "It took him a long time to get here, and his perseverance and his competitiveness have really gotten him to this point. He's a student of the game and it's really great to see him finally get rewarded for all his hard work."
Thomas is well-known for how much he hates being scored upon, even in practice.
"It's fun for a shooter because you get better as a shooter and they get better," said Recchi. "It's a fun atmosphere, he has fun with it. He has a great demeanor, he has a great calmness about him as well, but at the same time, you know he has a big fire in his belly and he doesn't like to get scored on. It's great." 