Brad Thiessen

Playing career

Thiessen began his junior career in the British Columbia Hockey League, playing for the Penticton Panthers in 2003–04, where he appeared in 42 games and posted a 13–17–1 record. The following season he played for the Prince George Spruce Kings, finishing 12–22–1. In his final junior season, 2005–06, he was traded during the season and played for both the Prince George Spruce Kings and the Merritt Centennials, achieving career bests with a 22–21–4 record, a 2.88 goals against average, and a .922 save percentage. He then moved to Northeastern University in Boston, playing three seasons from 2006 to 2009. As a freshman in 2006–07, he was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie team after appearing in 33 games with an 11–17–5 record. The next season he went 16–17–3. In his junior year, 2008–09, Thiessen led Northeastern to its first NCAA tournament appearance in over 15 years. He set school records for wins (25), goals against average (2.12), save percentage (.931), saves (1,195), games (41), and minutes played (2,495:44), and led the NCAA in saves. He also became Northeastern's all-time leader among goaltenders in goals against average (2.40), save percentage (.922), and shutouts (9). Rather than return for his senior season, Thiessen signed as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins and joined their AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, though he appeared in no games that season. After the AHL season ended, he practiced with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the Stanley Cup playoffs; although he never dressed for a game, he was with the team when they defeated the Detroit Red Wings in game seven to win the Stanley Cup, was included in the team picture, and received a Stanley Cup ring before playing his first professional game. During the 2009–10 season, Thiessen split time between the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and their ECHL affiliate Wheeling Nailers, earning a 14–14–1 record in 30 regular season appearances with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and an 8–3–0 record with Wheeling.