Thompson didn't receive much interest from professional teams following his junior career. In most cases, this is when a player will turn around and move onto the next chapter in life outside of playing hockey. However, Thompson did the opposite. In 2018, he enrolled at Brock University in Canada. Thompson had his eyes set on turning pro despite the small number of players who have done it after playing for a university in Canada.
"The dream was there, but I think the dream was starting to disappear a bit," Thompson said. "It's hard to go to the NHL from Canadian university. I was just having fun being a student again and having more fun playing hockey. I fell in love with the game again and things started to turn and fall in my favor."
Thompson put up impressive numbers in his first and only year at Brock by earning himself an 18-6 record to go along with a 2.22 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage. Rather than returning to school, he gambled on himself and looked to turn pro.
Thompson signed an amateur try-out contract with the Adirondack Thunder of the ECHL at the end of the 2018-19 season. The stint was short-lived as Thompson made eight appearances. Shortly thereafter, the Hershey Bears signed him to a one-year deal for the 2019-20 campaign in the American Hockey League. Thompson caught some traction during his time there as he made 32 appearances and posted a 2.25 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. The young goaltender thanks Hershey and the Washington Capitals organization for getting him to this point.
"I give Hershey and the Washington system a lot of credit," said Thompson. "Scott Murray and Alex Westlund were the only two that believed in me and gave me a chance. They gave me a chance when no one else did."
Thompson impressed and earned a two-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights during the summer of 2020. He spent most of the 2020-21 season with the Henderson Silver Knights where he dominated the AHL.
Thompson was awarded goaltender of the month in February after going 4-1-0 with a 1.81 goals-against average and a .942 save percentage. He then won the award for the second consecutive month after going 6-1-0 in March with a 1.86 GAA and a dominate .950 save percentage. In addition, Thompson made his NHL debut with the Golden Knights on March 10 in Minnesota against the Wild and stopped the only two shots he saw in eight minutes of action with the NHL club.
Following the AHL season, Thompson won the Aldege "Baz" Bastien Memorial Award, which is presented to the league's most outstanding goaltender. A huge accomplishment for most, but Thompson believes there is more as he stayed in Las Vegas during the offseason to continue to work on his game.
From a goalie who aged out of junior hockey with no offers, to a must-watch goalie prospect. Thompson has the opportunity to earn everything he has ever wanted.
"Last year was good," said Thompson. "I'm going to prove to everyone that it wasn't a fluke. There's still a lot of people doubting me and that's okay, I'm used to it. I want to be an NHL goalie and that's the plan. I am going to keep pushing myself to become an NHL goalie."
