Wayne Thomas leaves behind his beloved wife, Barb Baeder, with whom he shared over five decades of love, partnership, and support.
Wayne Thomas, an Ottawa native, was a well-known Canadian NHL goalie, coach, and hockey executive.
Born in Ottawa in 1947, he played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers from 1972 to 1981.
He had a strong career, earning an All-Star selection and even getting a shutout in his first NHL game.
After retiring as a player, he became one of the NHL’s first goaltending coaches and later coached in the IHL, winning the Turner Cup.
He then joined the San Jose Sharks, where he held various roles for over 20 years.
These included assistant general manager and vice president of hockey operations, before retiring in 2015.
The NHL Alumni Association is deeply saddened to learn that Wayne Thomas has passed away at the age of 77.
— NHL Alumni (@NHLAlumni) July 16, 2025
A native of Ottawa, Ontario, Wayne played junior hockey for his hometown Ottawa Capitals of the Central Canada Hockey League before playing three seasons of collegiate… pic.twitter.com/SdHOOuWEno
Sadly, Wayne Thomas passed away on July 16, 2025, at the age of 77, after a long battle with cancer.
He passed away peacefully at his home in Falmouth, Massachusetts, surrounded by his family.
Wayne Thomas And His Wife, Barb, Were Together For Over Five Decades!
Wayne was married to Barb Baeder Thomas for more than 50 years.
While the exact date they met or married isn’t public, they were together through his entire hockey journey and during his illness.
They had two daughters: Gretchen Kane and Abra Larson. Gretchen, the first one, lives in New York with her husband, Tim, and their 11-year-old son, Harrison.
Second daughter, Abra, lives in Deephaven, Minnesota, with her husband, Hans, and their two children: Erik, 17, and Elsje, 15.
Barb supported Wayne through his playing, coaching, and executive career and stood by him during his final illness.
Though her own profession isn’t known, she played a huge role in their family life and was deeply involved in supporting Wayne and their children and grandchildren throughout the years.
During Wayne’s final 17 years, he found the most happiness in spending time mostly with his grandchildren and other family members.
He loved attending their events, such as concerts, plays, and games, and was always involved in helping them grow.
His tragic demise left a void in the heart of his family and the wider hockey community.
While his family kept their reflections private, the San Jose Sharks, where he spent over two decades as an executive, shared a moving statement:
Wayne was a beloved member of our organization and the hockey community. His greatest joy in recent years was his grandchildren, and he never missed a chance to support them, whether at a concert, play, or game. His warmth, wisdom, and mentorship left a lasting impact on everyone he met.
Although he leaves behind his family and legacy, his memory will live on for years to come.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Wayne Thomas earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
- He became the 10th goalie in NHL history to record a shutout in his debut game (3–0 win for Montreal over Vancouver).
- He was selected for the 1976 NHL All-Star after a standout season with Toronto.
