Terrier Alumni Spotlight: Kale Thompson
This week’s installment of the Terriers Alumni Spotlight is Yorkton native, Kale Thompson. Thompson was part of the Terriers for three seasons starting in 2011-12 and played till the 2013-14 season. During his time with the Terriers, Thompson was part of two Canalta Cup Championships, one Western Canada Cup and the Royal Bank Cup championship team.
Before joining the Terriers, Thompson played for the Yorkton Harvest U18 AAA for three seasons. In his first season with the Harvest, Thompson played in 24 games posting a 4.32 GAA and a .887 save percentage. Thompson saw his stats improve a but from year 1 to year 2 with the Harvest. In 25 games he posted a 3.34 GAA and a .893 save percentage. Thompson and the Harvest would make the playoffs that season but would get knocked out in the first round. In his final season of AAA hockey, Thompson played in 31 games and saw once again his stats improve. He posted a 3.08 GAA and a .905 save percentage. Once again, the Harvest made the playoffs but failed to reach the second round.
During Thompson’s time with the Harvest, he was called up to dress with the Terriers from time to time. Although he never got the chance to start a game for the Terriers, he was able to get some experience of what junior A hockey has to offer. In his first season with the Terriers, as an 18-year-old, Thompson played in 14 games during the season and posted an 8-5-0-0-1 record with a 2.69 GAA and a .911 save percentage.
In his second season with his hometown Terriers, Kale was relied on to be the starter at the start of the season. In 29 games that year, Thompson has a 17-7-0-0-2 record with a 2.90 GAA and a .902 save percentage. During his second season is when the first of two league championships arrive for Thompson and the Terriers.
With his 20-year-old season, last eligible season of junior hockey, Thompson and the Terriers knew they had some unfinished business from the loss to the Brookes Bandits in the second qualifying game for the RBC cup. Thompson’s hot start to the season helped the Terriers get started on the right track and he continued his hot start all season posting a record of 31-11-0-0-3 in 45 games while recording a spectacular 1.89 GAA and a .934 save percentage. That great season by Thompson helped the Terriers win their second of back-to back league championships.
The Terriers were looking to continue their hot play into the Western Canada Cup but a small flu bug went through the Terriers locker room. When Westerns started and the Terriers first game about to start, Thompson was not on the ice for warmups and was a scratch for the first game. The Winnipeg Blues knocked off the Thompson-less Terriers in game 1. But Thompson was a warrior for the rest of Westerns coming in and helping the Terriers capture their first ever Western Canada Cup.
With their Western Canada Cup title, Thompson and the Terriers headed out to Vernon to compete for the RBC Cup. Once again, the Terriers and Thompson struggled out of the gate losing to Toronto 5-1 and to Vernon 6-4 in the teams opening two games. Luckily for the Terriers, Thompson regained his magic from the season and the Terriers went on to win their last two round robin games and keep their goal alive. With a semi-final win against the Vernon Vipers, Thompson and the Terriers punched their ticket to the final game against the Carleton Place Canadiens. The Terriers tied the game late and forced overtime where the magic from Thompson spread to the team. Thompson made some big saves to keep the game tied and late in overtime the Terriers scored to capture their first ever National Championship.
Kale Thompson, a native of Yorkton had a magical season to end his junior career with his hometown team. Another SJHL Canalta Cup, a Western Canada Cup and an RBC National Championship along with SJHL Top Goaltender of the year award. What a season to end his junior career.
Q and A with Kale Thompson
1) Name and years played with the Terriers?
2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-14
2) Favourite memory during your time with the Terriers?
Winning two Canalta Cups, the Western Canada Cup, and the Royal Bank Cup in overtime to finish my junior career.
3) Toughest SJHL opponent and hardest rink to play in?
La Ronge
4) How did your time with the Terriers help get you to where you are today?
During my time playing with the Terriers, I was on some of the closest teams I have been on. It taught me the importance of being a good teammate and left me with a lot of lifelong friendships.
5) Favourite TV show or movie?
Yellowstone
6) What are you up to these days?
Currently work as a Corrections Officer in Regina and building a house with my fiancé.
7) What are your plans for the next 3-5 years?
Getting married this summer and we’ll see where it goes from there!
8) Favourite athlete of all time?
John Neibrandt
9) Favourite Meal/Food?
Tacos
10) Favourite Music/Musician?
Anything country
11) What are some of your hobbies?
Fishing, hunting, camping, snowboarding, golfing, spending time with friends and family and my golden retriever Charlie
12) Favourite sport other than hockey?
Golf