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It didn’t take long for reality to hit Christian Thomas.

Sure, he learned a few weeks prior that he had made Team Canada’s ice hockey roster for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

But the magnitude of the accomplish sunk in on Day 1, when Thomas and his teammates were waiting in a hallway of PyeongChang Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony on Feb. 9.

“They called out Team Canada and we all came out onto the floor together with our flags and matching Canada suits,” Thomas said. “It was really special.”

The same could be said for every day that Thomas spent residing in the Olympic Village and competing for a medal on the ice. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguin forward returned with a bronze medal and a ton of memories, including a meeting with snowboarder Shaun White.

In fact, there was so much to soak in during the nearly two weeks that Thomas was in PyeongChang that the entire experience flew by quickly.

“With the little free time we had I tried to hang out in the lounge and meet the other athletes. I talked to athletes from other countries there and in the cafeteria where we would all eat,” he said. “We had a busy schedule, but I think I did my best.”

The same could be said for Thomas’ performance on the ice as well. He scored the game-winning goal in Team Canada’s 4-0 shutout against South Korea and added an assist in a 4-3 loss to Germany, winners of the silver medal.

The loss to Germany eliminated Canada’s chance for a gold medal, but they defeated the Czech Republic the next day to earn the bronze medal.

“Losing to Germany was a big heartbreaker, but having another chance to win a medal is a huge accomplishment,” Thomas said. “I’m definitely proud to be Canadian.”

Among Thomas’ other on-ice memories, he said the support for Team Canada as the tournament went on is something he won’t forget. As Canada continued to advance, the number of fans and fellow athletes cheering them on in the stands increased as well.

But aside from the bronze medal, Thomas said he it was a proud moment to score a goal in the Olympics.

“Scoring that goal against Korea was such a cool moment for me. Being able to say I have an Olympic goal is special for myself. I felt like I contributed with the opportunity I got,” he said.

Penguins head coach Clark Donatelli knows a thing or two about scoring goals in the Olympics. He represented Team USA in 1988 and 1992 — the latter as captain — and scored three goals during his time in the Olympics.

As a fellow Olympian, Donatelli was proud of what Thomas accomplished.

“Anytime you can contribute on a stage like that, it’s great to score a goal. You remember that,” Donatelli said. “They’re probably disappointed they didn’t do better, but that’s a life experience that can’t be taken away.”

The Olympic experience also allowed Thomas to face hockey teams from several countries and see different styles of play. Thomas and his Team Canada teammates faced squads from Switzerland, Czech Republic, South Korea, Finland and Germany, and he was impressed by all of them.

Thomas said Germany played a North American style of hockey, and Finland and Sweden were highly skilled playing on the large ice surface.

But what about South Korea?

“They’re very quick and good at holding onto the puck. You’d be surprised,” Thomas said. “They’re a skilled team and they have a lot of Canadians on their team as well.”

While Thomas is in the sixth year of his pro hockey career, he said the bronze medal from the Olympics easily tops his list of accomplishments. Now that he’s back with the Penguins he hopes to add the Calder Cup to his list as well.

But it will be hard to match the thrill of being an Olympic athlete.

“You watch these athletes from all over excelling in their sport, and I had the opportunity to be one of them and roam around. It was special,” Thomas said.

Christian Thomas puts on the bronze medal he won in the Men’s Ice Hockey Tournement in the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeong Chang. Thomas scored a goal and added an assist while playing for Team Canada.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_TTL022818Christian-Thomas2.jpg.optimal.jpgChristian Thomas puts on the bronze medal he won in the Men’s Ice Hockey Tournement in the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeong Chang. Thomas scored a goal and added an assist while playing for Team Canada. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Christian Thomas holds the bronze medal he won in the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeong Chang. Thomas brought the medal to Tuesday’s Penguins practice to share with his teammates.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_TTL022818Christian-Thomas3.jpg.optimal.jpgChristian Thomas holds the bronze medal he won in the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeong Chang. Thomas brought the medal to Tuesday’s Penguins practice to share with his teammates. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Christian Thomas holds the bronze medal he won in the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeong Chang. Thomas brought the medal to Tuesday’s Penguins practice to share with his teammates.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_TTL022818Christian-Thomas4.jpg.optimal.jpgChristian Thomas holds the bronze medal he won in the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeong Chang. Thomas brought the medal to Tuesday’s Penguins practice to share with his teammates. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Christian Thomas holds the bronze medal he won in the Men’s Ice Hockey Tournement at Pyeong Chang. Aimee Dilger|Times Leader
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_TTL022818Christian-Thomas1.jpg.optimal.jpgChristian Thomas holds the bronze medal he won in the Men’s Ice Hockey Tournement at Pyeong Chang. Aimee Dilger|Times Leader Aimee Dilger | Times Leader
Representing Team Canada in the 2018 Winter Olympics, Thomas earned a bronze medal.

By Tom Venesky

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Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TomVenesky