The Biofile Nate Thompson

Ht: 6-foot Wt: 210 pounds

DOB: Oct. 5, 1984 In: Anchorage, Alaska

First Hockey Memory: “I slept with my hockey stick for about four months before I could play hockey. Then when I got out there, I was basically going around the boards, falling down, getting back up, falling down, getting back up. But just having a blast.”

Hockey Inspiration: “Kind of ironic, I was a big fan of Steve Yzerman.” 

Nickname: “Tommy, Tommer, Nate Dogg.”

Last Book Read: “Was The Last Symbol – Dan Brown.”

First Job: “I worked at a driving range. I drove the carts, picked up the balls, washed the golf balls.”

Current Car: “White Chevrolet Avalanche, 2003.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “Probably scoring my first NHL goal. We ended up winning the game – it was shorthanded. It was at Madison Square Garden against New York.”

Most Painful Moment: “Maybe when you get cut or sent down or put on waivers is pretty painful. When you’re so close to the NHL but you get sent back down again is kind of painful.”

Favorite Uniforms: “I’d have to go with Detroit. Or our new ones for next year.”

Favorite Arenas To Play: “Detroit, Madison Square Garden or Montreal maybe.”

Most Memorable Goal: “This year, scoring an overtime goal against the Rangers here at home.”

Closest NHL Friend: “Matt Carle. We grew up together. Best friends growing up. We’re still close friends.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “I’d have to put Ryan Malone up there. Maybe Teddy Purcell.”

Toughest Competitors Encountered: “Steve Downie – he’s not afraid of anybody. He goes hard every shift. And he’s just fearless out there. He’s not the biggest guy in the world. He’s fearless.”

Funny Hockey Memory: “Was playing with Brendan Witt with the New York Islanders. And his whole skate blade fell off. He really couldn’t skate. So he sat down, Indian-style in the corner (smiles). He just sat there, (waiting) for a whistle to be blown. It was pretty funny.”

Strangest Game: “Against the Flyers this year. And we won 8-7. It was a big shootout.”

Favorite Players To Watch: “I was a big fan of Steve Yzerman. Crosby. Marty St-Louis. ‘Stammer.’ Get to see them every day with a front row seat.”

Favorite Sport Outside Hockey: “Probably football.”

First NHL Jersey You Wore As A Kid: “It was Detroit. Yzerman jersey.”

People/Personality Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty. Character. Hard work ethic. Pretty admirable to see them in other people.”