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September 19, 2011 Volume 22 : Issue 5
Tim Thomas returns to Davison, cup in hand BY MATT MACKINDER
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T
im Thomas said he dressed for the occasion. A blue shirt, dark-colored shorts and shoes with red laces hardly looked like they go hand in hand with the Stanley Cup, but on Aug. 24, no one at Cardinal Stadium at Davison High School seemed to care as the Boston Bruins’ playoff MVP brought the Cup back to his hometown for a short ceremony at his old high school. Ever the humble athlete, refreshing for a pro athlete at this day and age, Thomas attempted to deflect attention shone on him elsewhere. During a press conference after a ceremony where Thomas received his old Davison High jersey, a key to the city of Davison, information on having a bridge named after him in the city and numerous other keepsakes, the 37-year-old reflected back on his youth in the Flint suburb. “(Former Davison coach) Tom Barrow had such an impact on my life and my career,” noted Thomas. “He used to take me to men’s league on Sunday mornings at 7:00. He wanted to teach me patience and to not come so far out of my crease. I think he somewhat failed at that.” Thomas said he took a look into the nearly-full bleachers and was flabbergasted at not only the amount of people that came to honor him, but who he saw. “I saw a lot of people that I hadn’t seen in years and in a certain way, had actually forgotten that they have always supported me,” said Thomas, also an ex-Detroit Vipers (IHL) and Lakeland Jets (NAHL) goaltender. “I saw people I worked with at Domino’s Pizza delivering pizzas and I also saw people that I played softball with. It was great. I was nervous before this, but I’m always nervous before anything that centers around me. Once I got up there and saw so many people I recognized, I felt more comfortable and was very happy that I could bring this day here and bring the Cup home.” Ken Morrow, another Davison native who won four Stanley Cups with the New York
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Hometown hero: Tim Thomas is presented with his Davison High School hockey jersey as part of a press conference honoring the Stanley Cup winning goalie. (Matt Mackinder/Michigan Hockey)
Islanders in the 1980s, never brought the Cup to Flint during his run. “I was five years old during the 1980 Olympics and my favorite player became (Team USA goalie) Jim Craig,” Thomas said. “Knowing that Ken Morrow was from Davison and what he accomplished, it certainly inspired me or at least gave me hope that someone from Davison could do the same thing. Over the years, I might have met him once in passing. I believe I once tried to sell apples to him, but once I realized who it was, I didn’t put too much of a sell on; I just wanted to get out of there because I was embarrassed. Just knowing what he’s accomplished, he’s always been someone I’ve looked up to.” In wrapping up his presser, Thomas again passed the buck when the attention shifted to his accomplishments in June. “(Winning the Cup and bringing it to Davison) means a lot to a lot of people,” Thomas smiled. “It’s great that we had this opportunity to have the Cup for maybe the first time ever in Davison. It’s a special day and I’m just happy to be able to share it with as many people as possible.” Thomas later brought the Cup to the University of Vermont, his alma mater, on Sept. 3. No word if the red laces made an appearance, however.
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