Kids flock to Kenai ice to "Skate with Nate" and dream big

Kids flock to Kenai ice to “Skate with Nate” and dream big

When Nate Thompson, co-captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning, was three years old his dad took him to a Sea Wolves hockey game and he says he fell in love with the sport and started skating shortly thereafter. While Thompson resides in the Sunshine State, these days his father Dr. Robert Thompson M.D. lives and practices in Soldotna. On a recent trip home the popular center for the Lightning took an afternoon, and rather than pursue his love of trout fishing on the Peninsula, spent the day with kids who have the same dream he had when he was three years old. It was called “Skate with Nate” and over 80 young skaters donned their favorite jerseys and skates and joined Nate Thompson on the ice in Kenai. Thompson spent one on one time with each boy and girl who came by for a photo and questions about life as a pro hockey player.

“I grew up in Anchorage but I spent a lot of time in Kenai when I was growing up and whenever you can give back to the community it’s a great thing. Alaska has produced some great players like Lee Green and Scott Gomez, that have put Alaska on the map, and whenever you can help out kids, we’re helping the next generation of greats hold on to their dream and keep Alaska the great place it is,” Thompson told the Dispatch in an interview. The event not only helped young hockey players believe their dream, it also raised funds to help those whose dream may be to have a roof over their heads someday or simply their first month’s rent through an organization known as Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC), a nonprofit organization that strives to meet needs of the homeless. Nate’s father Dr. Thompson is on the Love INC. board and says Love INC has a focus to make a difference in people’s lives and that he was proud of the broad based community support the organization has received.

Many of the kids skating around were wearing typical NHL jerseys. Pittsburgh, San Jose, Detroit and the New York Rangers were all represented, but the most obvious jersey of choice was the blue and white No. 44 with which Thompson competes. “The next life-long dream is to win the Stanley Cup, but that’ll have to wait until next year,” said Thompson.

As far as the best advice for kids sharing his dream, Nate said “I think the biggest thing I’ve told them is to work hard and have fun. It’s a pretty simple ingredient and it works.”

Kids flock to Kenai ice to "Skate with Nate" and dream big
Kids flock to Kenai ice to "Skate with Nate" and dream big

More in News

The Kenai Peninsula College Main Entrance on Aug. 18, 2022, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Inside the Iditarod

Showcase to feature stories from champion, event photographer

Paul Gebhardt is photographed on March 24, 1996. (M. Scott Moon/Peninsula Clarion)
Kasilof musher dies at 67

Paul Gebhardt was a 21-time participant in the Iditarod

Santa Claus hugs Paul Cook during Christmas in the Park festivities at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna brings holiday cheer

Christmas in the Park drew hundreds to meet Santa Claus, go on sleigh rides, sip hot cocoa and listen to music

From left: Rep. Ben Carpenter, Sen. Jesse Bjorkman and Rep. Justin Ruffridge discuss their priorities regarding education during a work session with members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
School funding, accountability dominate school board work session with lawmakers

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, Rep. Ben Carpenter and Rep. Justin Ruffridge joined the board for a work session in Soldotna

Snow coats an eroding bluff near the mouth of the Kenai River on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai accepting bids on bluff stabilization project

The announcement means that contractors can start submitting their proposals for how they’d complete the work and how much it would cost to do so

A stack of the Seward Journal is pictured. The town’s only daily newspaper published its last edition Nov. 27. (Photo via Seward Journal Facebook page)
‘A thing of the past’

Seward Journal calls it quits after struggle to keep newspaper afloat

Tim Navarre and Dana Cannava discuss a preliminary Soldotna route for the Kahtnu Area Transit with Planner Bryant Wright at the Challenger Learning Center of Alaska in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Getting people where they need to go

Plans for Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Kahtnu Area Transit move forward

A state plow truck clears snow from the Kenai Spur Highway on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
DOT identifies roads included in brine reduction plan

The department said its goal is to reduce brine use overall in the region by 40%

Soldotna High School senior Josiah Burton testifies in opposition to the proposed cut of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District theater technicians while audience members look on during a board of education meeting on Monday, March 6, 2023 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
School board finance group reviews expenditures ahead of upcoming budget cycle

As the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District prepares to grapple with another… Continue reading

Most Read