Ex-LA Kings Enforcer Jim Thomson on Life with JT Prospects

To have his prospects achieve success at any level is rewarding for Thomson. But for some of those prospects to not only reach, but to succeed, at the NHL level is, both figuratively and literally, on another echelon. That is just the case for Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues and Morgan Frost of the Calgary Flames.

“To have [Thomas] and Morgan Frost and these kids come through our system was amazing,” Thomson glowed. “I mean, it’s a small town, Aurora, about 50,000 people, them growing up [in Aurora], playing their minor hockey. And, you know, obviously going on to, really [great heights]. Robert Thomas, he could be an Olympic player for Team Canada. To go from a small little town to big heights in the NHL. As we know, Morgan Frost got drafted by Philadelphia, now in Calgary. A very talented player. And Robert Thomas is making his own name. He’s gone from kind of an average player to a star. He’s not of superstar status yet, but he’s on his way to a bright offensive career.”

Through 466 career games, Robert Thomas has 107 goals and 289 assists for 396 points. He also boasts a plus-46 rating. As for Morgan Frost, he has 147 points in 310 career games. Both were selected in the first round — 20th and 27th, respectively — in the 2017 Draft.

As important as on-ice skills are, however, Jim Thomson also stresses life off the ice for his prospects. For the former King, he provides a plethora of leadership, teaching his players how to handle themselves off the ice.

“I mentor them all year-round — not just in the summer, winter,” Thomson said of his players. “[I mentor them] of what not to do, and how quickly doing the wrong thing, whether it’s alcohol, drugs or whatever the case may be, that they can’t take it back. They can do five years of great service and one mistake can ruin their hockey careers and their lives, as we found out with the five guys from the World Juniors, right? They were all found innocent, but left on their blemishes. It’s too bad, it’s awful. And I always say this, ‘What happens after midnight is no good.’ Parents always told us that.

“Making that one mistake can cost these young kids their careers. Some of them, it’s tragic for them and their families. So yes, I teach and mentor year-round. If it doesn’t look right, if it doesn’t feel right, then you get out of that situation.”

As for his time with the Kings, Jim Thomson is always fond of it. Of course, his career in Southern California brought with it some dark times — dark times that turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

“My time in Los Angeles was the highlight of my career,” noted the 59-year-old. “[But] I always say this: The good and the bad of what I look back and if I would have–. My drinking– I think I over-drank. Even though I was a serious guy and ready to play, it’s just that lifestyle of going out, maybe having too much alcohol. So, there’s little things when people say, ‘What would you change?’ I wish I never became an alcoholic, to be honest with you. Now, I say that, but the good news is, is my downfall is helping a lot of people save their lives.

“Without living that time, I wouldn’t change that for anything to help people. Here I am. I’m down in Greece, and I did an intervention on a young man who’s struggling with alcohol and drugs. And it comes from all places. So, when you asked me that question, my time in L.A. was fantastic. Playing with Wayne Gretzky and [Kings then-owner] Bruce McNall. And going to the Stanley Cup, as you know, in ’93 and all with great memories. But yeah, there are probably some things I could have changed, and what if I could, right?”

It takes a big person to admit their mistakes. Heck, it takes a big person to overcome those mistakes. It tests character and integrity, and Jim Thomson has passed that with flying colours. But as the late, great Jackie Robinson famously said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Jim Thomson has made deep, lasting impacts on young men for nearly three decades. This both at the rink and away from it. Regardless if they become NHLers or leave hockey altogether, these young men are better for having Jim Thomson in their lives. And that’s something the former King can be proud of — today, tomorrow, and for the rest of his life.