The Razorback Hockey team is pleased to announce G-Brock Thompson as the next 2017-18 Arkansas commit. The 6’2” 190 lbs. left-catching goalie recently completed his junior league career playing for the Connecticut Nighthawks in the Eastern Hockey League.
With the Nighthawks, Thompson recorded a 2.62 goals against average and a .926 save percentage in 15 games. Earlier in the 2016-17 season, Thompson played for the Oklahoma City Jr. Blazers (WSHL) and the Coulee Region Chill (NAHL).
Thompson played for the Philadelphia Little Flyers of the EHL during the 2015-16 season where he earned a 2.04 GAA and a .927 save percentage. He would later receive the EHL Premier Division Goalie of the Month after posting a 5-0 record and 1.77 GAA in January 2016. He also helped the Little Flyers win the EHL Regular Season Championship that same season. Drafted by the Odessa Jackalopes of the NAHL in 2014, Thompson won the Tier I 18U Texas State Championship in 2015 before entering the junior ranks.
Born in Oklahoma City, hockey was a big part of Thompson’s childhood. He explains, “As soon as the Oklahoma City Blazers came to town in 1992, we bought season tickets. I went to Blazers’ games ever since I was born. I started playing hockey when I was four. When I was six, my teammates took turns strapping up the pads and playing goalie. Once it was my turn to play goalie, I never took the pads off and I’ve been a goalie ever since. I think I liked the idea of wearing the cool pads and being able to stay out on the ice for the entire game.”
Regarding his decision to come to Arkansas, Thompson said, “Arkansas offers me the chance to earn my degree from one of the top schools in the nation and play the sport that I love at a very high level. Being close to home for the first time in three years is a great feeling. Growing up in Oklahoma, I always had to travel across the country to play hockey games. Knowing that my family and friends will be able to drive a few hours to see me play made my decision much easier.”
“It’s hard not to be excited by the academic and athletic makeup of this year’s still growing recruiting class,” said Brian Gallini, Head Coach of the Division I team. “Apart from the obvious—the addition of more size—Brock’s athletic goaltending style will make it challenging for opposing shooters. He cuts down the angle well and his recoverability makes rebound opportunities scarce. Brock is also a dedicated student who is serious about taking advantage of all that our University has to offer.”
Thompson becomes the ninth in the 2017-18 recruiting class that features players from six different states, two countries, and three junior leagues. Thompson joins the following players:
F-Sine Chadi (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL)
F/D-Paiute Morrison (Southern Oregon Spartans, WSHL)
D-Corey Rees (Long Beach Sharks, NA3HL)
D-Kyle Dudley (Euless Jr. Stars, NA3HL)
D-Shaun Foster (SUNY-Canton, NCAA).
D-Kenatae Medure (Atlanta Capitals, NA3HL)
G-Max Barr (Long Beach Bombers, WSHL);
G-Rio Virgoe (Jersey Shore Wildcats, NA3HL)
The University of Arkansas is the only SEC school to field two hockey teams. The Division I team has, since 2015, competed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). The Division III team will in 2017-18 begin its eleventh season competing in the Southeastern Collegiate Hockey Conference (learn more here). All home games are played at The Jones Center for Families in Springdale.
