Number 18

18) Tim Thomas (Goalie, Boston Bruins)

For those of us in Flint, MI...(All of our readers as of right now) Tim Thomas is as local as they come. He played his high school hockey at Davison High School (The rival school of the high school I graduated from). Tim Thomas was a no-name in the NHL until the 2007-2008 season in which he took over for injured goalie Manny Fernandez and posted some solid numbers (28-19, 2.44 GAA, and a 921 save percentage) and got the attention of coaches all over the league. Thomas was drafted in 94 by the Quebec Nordiques but didn't see his first NHL action until 2002. From 94-02 Thomas played for; Birmingham Bulls (ECHL), Houston Aeros (IHL), HISF Helsinki (Finland), Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL), Detroit Vipers (IHL), AIK Solna (Sweden), and Karpat (Finland). Finally Boston gave him a chance in 2002.

Thomas would not be in the top 20 if it wasn't for his amazing campaign this season. He led the league in the two most important stats for goaltenders (933 save percentage and a 2.10 GAA) and led his Boston Bruins to the 2nd best record in the NHL and the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. In my eyes, he should easily win the Vezina Trophy and will make all Flint hockey players proud.