Tristan Thompson: Where is he now?

Times Reporter    

 

He finished with nine points in his first midget season, and then became the top scoring defensemen in the AMHL in his second. Former UFA Bison Tristan Thompson finished with 34 points in 33 games this year, and his since moved on to the Drumheller Dragons of the AJHL.

“I think training in the summer helped a lot,” the 17-year-old said of his jump in points. “I was working with a couple guys from the Western Hockey League, on my offensive play and defensive play.”

Thompson began his year with the Dragons, but was sent down to the Bisons for the beginning of the season, moving to Strathmore. Now, he’s back living in Drumheller, and finds the transition from the AMHL to the AJHL quite easy.

“It’s not too hard. They help out a lot because they’re always in good position,” Thompson said. “The guys are bigger, stronger, and a little bit faster.”

In junior, where players are up to 21-years-old, Thompson finds he doesn’t have the same role he did with the midget Bisons.

“I play a lot of 5-on-5. With the Bisons, I played pretty much every role,” he said.

The Canmore native has certainly moved around for his hockey career; last season, with the help of his parents, Thompson drove two hours to and from practice before being billeted in Strathmore this year.

“I think I’ve been doing that since peewee since there was never a team in Canmore, really,” Thompson said.

Thompson noted that playing with the Bow Valley Timberwolves in peewee was the highlight of his career so far; the team won back-to-back championships, only losing three times in two years. He wishes the Bisons could have had that same success.

“It’s kind of hard because we all come from different areas,” Thompson said. “We play against each other our whole lives and then we come to midget and we all have to play together.”

The Red Deer Optimist Chiefs, who knocked the Bisons out of the playoffs, had more chemistry.

“In Red Deer, they’re all good. They’ve played together their whole lives – the same systems and everything. They’re just used to it,” Thompson said.

However, coming from different areas also had its benefits, as Thompson said he will miss being billeted with his team.

“It’s good, they treat you like their own kids,” he said. “Living (in Strathmore) was the best thing. We were all together. It’s always a fun time with the guys.”

Thompson looks forward to having a strong season with the Drumheller Dragons next year, hoping to grow stronger and work on his defensive game. His hope is for an NCAA scholarship.

“Possibly for North Dakota, or maybe Boston College,” he said.