Nick Nelson

Fantasy Summary

Thome’s got the size, intangibles, and early-career experience to be an NHL winner. With a crowded Blue Jacket crease, the path to Columbus is not easy.


Observations

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February 2020 – The 6’4 backstop is off to a hot start in his third season with the University of North Dakota. Through eight starts, the Minnesota native sports a .931 save percentage and an impressive 1.52 goals-against to go with his 6-1-1 record. While he may be playing well, Thome is the victim of a very strong goaltending pool and has yet to ink a deal with the Blue Jackets organization. With that in mind, his future with the team remains very uncertain. Dave Hall

June 2019 – Thome had an unimpressive sophomore campaign for the University of North Dakota (NCAA). His statistics regressed from that of his sophomore season. As a result, he found himself as the backup goaltender more than the starter. The 22-year-old will most likely return to the Gophers for his junior year where he will battle again for the starting job. For as long as he remains in college, there is no fantasy value for this netminder. Frank Pellegrini

 

November 2018 – Thome has returned to the University of North Dakota of the NCAA for his sophomore season. He has the size that NHL teams covet and has used it to put together a very nice collegiate career thus far. His ceiling is that of an NHL backup and his floor is that of an AHL starter. He will likely need two to three years to settle into either role. Frank Pellegrini

December 2017 – Following a full USHL campaign, Thome serves the sixth-ranked University of North Dakota as a freshman 1B. He impressed as the top goalie while senior, All-American netminder Cam Johnson missed portions of the early schedule due to injury, and stands as the Fighting Hawks’ heir apparent in net. Praised by coaches for his puck vision, character, and keen understanding of the game, the large and athletic Thome is out to a 3-2-3, 2.56, .907 start in NCHC play, one of the strongest NCAA conferences. Among his early-year accomplishments were a victory against reigning NCAA champion Denver, and being named Conference Goaltender of the Week after his debut back-to-back starts featuring a win and tie against 13th-ranked Wisconsin . With Columbus’ extraordinarily deep goalie prospect pool, Thome can develop further until greater pro opportunity arises, but as he’ll turn 21 this spring he probably won’t wait all four college years to jump to the pros if one does. Kevin Wickersham

Attributes
Fantasy Upside 5.5
NHL Certainty 3.0
Country USA
Position G
Roster Type Junior
Shoot/Glove Left
Date of Birth May 24, 1997
Height 6‘4”
Weight 203 lbs
Drafted 2016 Round 6; Overall: 155

Stats

 Season Team League GP GAA SVS%      Playoffs GP GAA SVS%
 2013-2014 Chicago Fury 16U AAAT1EHL 16U17 4.10 .874|      
 2014-2015 Chicago Fury 18U AAAT1EHL 18U19 1.90 .931|Playoffs2 2.39 .932
 2015-2016 Aberdeen WingsNAHL47 2.43 .929|      
  Omaha LancersUSHL1 1.89 .900|      
 2016-2017 Omaha LancersUSHL14 3.56 .872|      
  Chicago SteelUSHL5 2.37 .911|      
  Waterloo Black HawksUSHL15 2.74 .900|Playoffs2 4.89 .800
 2017-2018 Univ. of North DakotaNCAA12 2.31 .910|      
 2018-2019 Univ. of North DakotaNCAA14 2.72 .880|      
 2019-2020 Univ. of North DakotaNCAA11 1.37 .935|      
 2020-2021 Univ. of North DakotaNCAA5 2.83 .872|      
 2021-2022 Univ. of St. Thomas NCAA29 4.53 .876|      
  Idaho SteelheadsECHL3 2.37 .916|      
 2022-2023 Idaho SteelheadsECHL0 - -|      
  Maine MarinersECHL2 3.66 .882|      

Highlights