Wayne Thomas , a goalie for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers who played eight seasons in the NHL and later served as an executive with the San Jose Sharks, has died.

The Sharks announced Wednesday that the 77-year-old, who had cancer, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

Thomas was born in Ottawa on Oct. 9, 1947, setting off into his hockey career with the Ottawa Capitals of the Central Canada Hockey League between 1963-67, named the CCHL's top goalie in 1965-66.

He went on to play three years of varsity hockey at the University of Wisconsin under coach Bob Johnson and had a shutout in his first game in 1968, an 11-0 victory against Pennsylvania. In 1970, Wisconsin's first season in the WCHA, he helped lead the team to the Frozen Four Tourna

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