Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson was perhaps the biggest Cinderella story of this year's Honda NHL All-Star Weekend.
Having been in the ECHL just three seasons ago, Thompson left FLA Arena as a first-time NHL All-Star on Saturday night.
It's been a long and trying journey for the rookie, but it was his persistence he said that made it possible for him to get to the point where he is now.
"I think just believing in yourself and never stop working," Thompson said of how he was able to get to becoming the player he is today when he spoke to the media following Saturday's games. "There was a lot of times when I was really close to just quitting and giving up, but that competitiveness in me never went away. So yeah, I think that's just he biggest thing is never stop working hard at what you want."
Thompson's affiliation with the NHL really got rolling when he was brought on as a full-time member of the South Carolina Stingrays, the EHCL affiliate of the Washington Capitals.
"I'm thankful for the Washington goalie department every day," Thompson said. "They're the reason why I'm here. They're the only team that gave me a chance three years ago. So if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here today."
Thompson earned the starting goalie spot for the Golden Knights this season after not even being a full-time member of the team last year.
Now, he can call himself an All-Star.
"Like I said, this was never on my radar," Thompson said. "Neither was the NHL. So when I got the call this year from the league saying that they wanted me to attend here, I was shocked and a little surprised, but really thankful for the opportunity."
Thompson will look to help get Vegas back to its winning ways as it resumes its 2022-23 season this week.
Follow along with VGK Today for live updates throughout the Golden Knights' contest against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.
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