2011 Conn Smythe Trophy winner Tim Thomas returning to the Bruins!

He's going to forever be remembered as one of the great goaltenders in Boston Bruins history and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy in their historic Stanley Cup run of 2011, the first championship for the Bruins since the early 1970's and the days of Bobby Orr.

Tim Thomas, who was also inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame’s class of 2019, will be returning to Boston to take part in the Bruins’ Centennial celebration later this season. 

“I’m looking forward to it,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to seeing some old teammates. It seems like Bruins have planned a lot of exciting events, and it should be a fun season.”

Thomas has been keeping busy in his new hometown of Barre, Vermont and even assisted in rebuilding the YouthBuild’s Vermont facility after it was damaged in a flood. 

“It’s been great,” Thomas told Russo. “I got to learn about a new organization, YouthBuild, and learn about the good work they’re doing with helping a ton of kids to find their way. So it was nice to be able to help them out.”

Originally, Thomas didn't appear interested in a reunion with the Bruins for any special events. 

“I just don’t see it,” Thomas said in 2019. “I have other interests. I have a totally other focus. I live in a totally different world than the hockey world that I lived in before. I live a long ways away from Boston, and it’s not that fun for me to travel anymore. It isn’t anything to do with the Boston Bruins or the Boston fans, especially. My goodness, they loved the crap out of me when I was there to the point where it was hard to handle.”

Thomas became the first goaltender since Jean-Sebastien Giguere (2003) to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, posting a sparking 16-9 record and 1.98 goals against average in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

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