Brothers aim to make major junior Tigers

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Brother combinations are not that common on teams in junior hockey.

Jeremy and Rocky Thompson, from Whitecourt, Alta., are the exception. Both aim to be playing with the Medicine Hat Tigers this season.

What's even more rare is the brothers, 18 and 16 years old respectively, will both be rookies if they suit up for the Tigers in 1993-94.

Jeremy, 5'11 and 180 pounds, is the older of the two. A small forward who plays much bigger than his size, Jeremy's had to overcome some obstacles to get this far. Originally chosen the Portland Winter Hawks a few years ago, Jeremy was released after they waited for him to develop. A year-long battle with mononucleosis set him back a long way, and he ended up in Tier II last season, first with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, and then with the Lloydminster Blazers. Eventually he tallied six goals and seven assists, along with 150 minutes in penalties over 28 games.

When Jeremy takes to the ice this year he'll be healthy and mature for the first time in major junior. He is a relatively strong skater, who makes up for a questionable touch around the net with tenacity, drive and great work ethic.

Just before the start of the 1993 camp, Jeremy was master of ceremonies at the Alberta Metis Role Model competition, which he won last year. Jeremy is proud of winning and credits the year of duty with teaching him a good deal, lessons he'll carry onto the ice.

"I have to give 'er all I've got, on and off the ice," he says. "That's the way I live. It's kind of my motto."

Rocky, two years Jeremy's junior, has a lot of that competitive fire. But it's his size and skill that have scouts watching for him.

Rocky already 6'1 and 185 pounds, but he'll add two inches and 20 pounds to that the time he's done. And those measurements are going to get the mobile defenceman a long look wherever he goes.

But his size isn't even his greatest asset. Rocky is a brilliant athlete. He's a three-handicap golfer and finished 20th in the Alberta Junior championships, being named an alternate for the province in the Canadian championships. He's a top boxer as well (which should interest hockey scouts, in itself), completing in the Golden Gloves in Alberta and the Montana Copper Gloves competitions. Rocky's also an honors student as he moves into Grade 11 in Medicine Hat

Walter and Wendy Thompson speak of all their sons with pride (a third son, Cody, might be the subject of an article like this one a few years from now. At the same time, they're realistic about their sons' futures.

"Rocky's calm with the puck and hasn't been overwhelmed in camp," said Walter, "Which is good for a rookie at this level."

He comes to major junior direct from Bantam "AA" in Spruce Grove, where he scored 64 points and amassed more than 300 minutes in penalties.