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Golden Knights goaltender Logan Thompson may have made one of the biggest blocks of his young career this week.
The 25-year-old rookie deleted several social media apps from his phone in an effort to improve his mental approach as he tries to make his way through life as a starting goalie in the NHL.
“It’s wise not to do that,” Thompson said after Friday’s practice. “I’m a fiery person. You see the first year I had and how much you were loved and you appreciate it. But then come back for the second year And things don’t always go the way you want them to, even if the team is still winning, the volume of DMs (direct messages) and the ridiculous things athletes send them that there’s nothing we can do. Don’t even show it to the public, better stop it.It’s just a sport.It’s not worth the mental[suffering].”
So when the Knights host the Nashville Predators at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday noon, Thompson has one less distraction.
Injured forwards Jonathan Marcheso and Paul Cotter skated in practice Friday but are not expected to play until at least Monday, coach Bruce Cassidy said. However, he took Friday off and is not ready to return from injury.
Cassidy suggested that defenseman Alec Martinez, who left early in Tuesday’s game after blocking a shot and missed Wednesday’s game, could return to the lineup on Saturday.
That would be a big boost for Thompson’s former short-handed defense, who was already feeling better days after quitting social media.
“It feels great,” he said. “It really does. Obviously, deep down, if you have a great game, you want to download the app again and watch it. People have to realize that we are human too. No. Yeah, we are athletes and we play sports, but it takes a toll on everyone in the end.
Thompson lashed out at critics in a social media post shortly after leaving the ice after winning the penalty shootout over the Blues on Dec. 23, leaving the media visibly shaken while in the locker room. He deleted the tweets some time later, and after discussing with his entourage the toll the constant feedback was taking on him, decided to get rid of the app.
It’s all part of navigating the sudden fame that many players achieve when realizing their dreams of reaching the highest level as a professional athlete. I hope that some investment will be made in order to be prepared for
“I don’t think the NHL necessarily does a great job of preparing young players for all the turmoil that’s to come. That’s the biggest thing for goalkeepers,” he said. “If you’re playing in a bigger market, you can’t imagine how difficult it would be to play in Toronto or a place like that. It’s definitely a mental game. That’s where it’s hardest.”
He hopes to move forward, but has admitted that it may not be easy.
“It’s so hard because there’s really no way to stop watching it because you always want to know what people are saying. It’s an addiction,” he said. It’s unbelievable how hard it is to remove it when you always want to see if it’s there, there’s nothing you can do, that’s exactly the society we live in. , how big social media is in the world right now.
One of his first Tests came after a tough loss against the Kings on Tuesday. Thompson said that after such a match, he usually laments the loss and falls down the rabbit hole of negative comments. But he didn’t look for them.
“Things weren’t going well, but I didn’t have social media,” he said. I feel better than when I woke up.”
It’s a message that would make anyone want to defend themselves, but Thompson is in a different situation than most of his contemporaries.
“It’s hard to block because you can’t reply because you’re a professional athlete, and when you reply, it looks like (expletive),” he said. “This is certainly a difficult game and we need to be strong about it.
“It’s an ongoing process. As a goalie, people love you one day and absolutely hate you the next. You just have to enjoy the moment. Ultimately what everyone is going to do against me.” I know, so I’m going to enjoy it until I move out of town.”
Please contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com.follow @AdamHillLVRJ on Twitter.
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