Photo credit: AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes
During the Canadiens’ 7-5 win over the Hurricanes, the broadcast duo surprised a lot of people in Montreal.
Victor Findlay was on play-by-play for TSN, with Nate Thompson providing analysis-the same Nate Thompson who wore the Canadiens jersey not that long ago.
What really caught attention was Nick Suzuki’s goal in the first period. He scored his 14th of the season at 3:10, and it was called live by one of his former teammates. Let’s just say it struck a nostalgic chord, especially when you remember how Suzuki was supported when he first arrived.
Thursday, a familiar voice for Habs fans was heard on TSN2.
Thompson arrived in Montreal on February 11, 2019, in a trade with the Los Angeles Kings. He played 25 games with the Canadiens that season, recording 7 points, including one goal.
“Pretty cool to hear Nate Thompson, Nick Suzuki’s first regular NHL linemate and mentor from his Habs rookie season, doing the TSN colour commentary on this goal.”
– HabsOnReddit
He later signed a one-year contract worth $1 million USD and went on to play 63 games in 2019-20. That season, he produced 14 points, including 4 goals, along with 21 penalty minutes and a minus-2 rating.
That was also the year Suzuki completed his rookie season with 41 points in 71 games. The context explains why so many fans find the story easy to like. Hearing Thompson talk about the Canadiens is a direct reminder of that time when everyone was just discovering Suzuki.
Over his NHL career, Thompson played 844 games and recorded 164 points, with 65 goals and 99 assists. He announced his retirement at 38 and is now 41 years old. Since October 2025, he has already been involved in the media with a role at NHL Network, so his presence on TSN2 fits naturally.
Previously on All Montreal Hockey
