Team is used to Thomas’s ways

January 25, 2012|Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff

(Page 3 of 3)

If the 37-year-old Thomas (20-9-0, 2.12 goals-against average, .933 save percentage) maintains his current level of performance, the Bruins could reap a significant return from a club seeking a No. 1 goalie.

Thomas has strong New England ties. He lives north of Boston and sometimes takes vacations in Vermont. He is a University of Vermont graduate. Thomas plans to live in Colorado Springs upon his retirement.

Steven Kampfer was the only other American on last year’s Bruins roster. Kampfer, a University of Michigan graduate and a native of Jackson, Mich., said he enjoyed the White House ceremony.

“It’s Timmy’s decision. It’s his beliefs. It’s his right to do what he wants,’’ Kampfer said. “We all had a great time going there and seeing the White House.

“For myself, it was a dream come true because I studied it in school. I was a political science major. To get to go to the White House yesterday and shake the President’s hand was awesome. That’s something I’ll never forget.’’

Fluto Shinzawa can be reached at fshinzawa@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeFluto.