Tim Thomas: Bruins Goalie Shouldn't Be Ridiculed After Decision to Skip Season

Tim Thomas led the Boston Bruins to their first Stanley Cup Trophy in almost 40 years. That's what Boston fans should remember him for, not for his decision to sit out the 2012-2013 NHL season.

Two Vezina Trophies, one Conn Smythe Trophy and a season of glory for the state of Massachusetts should be etched into the minds of all Bruins fans. A grown man, a man with a family and strong faith shouldn't be roasted for his decision to devote more time to the side of his life that he has not been able to pay much attention to since his late-blooming career in Boston began.

Thomas made this announcement regarding his decision, as per the Boston Globe:

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“From the earliest age I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a hockey player,’’ Thomas posted. “I’ve been blessed in my life to not only be able to live that dream, but to achieve more than I ever thought possible. The singleminded focus that is necessary to accomplish a dream of this magnitude entails (by necessity) sacrifice in other areas and relationships in life. At the age of 38, I believe it is time to put my time and energies into those areas and relationships that I have neglected. That is why at this time I feel the most important thing I can do in my life is to reconnect with the three F’s. Friends, Family, and Faith."

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We hold successful athletes within the public sphere in the highest esteem, often placing them atop a pedestal that makes them seem supernatural. Thomas is the most recent reminder that that is often not the case, and these celebrities are normal people who miss the side of their life that normal people take for granted everyday.

Of course it's a huge shock to watch the starting goalie of your favorite team suddenly announce that he won't be coming back next season, but it seems that Thomas can't bring himself to do it any longer. He has a wife, Melissa, and three children under the age of 12. Just because he is in the national spotlight for his masterful work between the pipes, doesn't mean his family doesn't miss him, nor does it mean he doesn't miss his family.

The 38-year-old Thomas will surely catch some flak, but that's not right. He'll be sorely missed, and the occasionally unforgiving Boston resident may reflect on this decision with scorn and rue the day that Thomas "betrayed" the Bruins and left his former team with 25-year-old Tuukka Rask as their first-string net minder. But those who sit back and think about it may sing another tune.

Let's go over the statistics he compiled during his impressive career. He posted a 2.48 goals against average (2.26 since the beginning of the 2008-2009 season), 196 wins and a .921 career save percentage. Don't look back in anger on Thomas' final decision, look back on his career affectionately and remember that there are plenty of fans who would commit a capital crime to watch their team win the Stanley Cup.

He didn't become the starting goalie in Boston until he was 32-years-old, after spending quite awhile in Finland and Sweden, so he's probably pretty burnt out from protecting the net all over the world. If you want to hate on him for anything, hate on him for including "friends" in his statement, because, after all, who needs friends anyway?

While it wouldn't be shocking if Thomas decided to hang his skates up for good following his one-year hiatus, there's still a possibility of his return in the future, though it seems unlikely. But hey, he surprised us once with this decision and he may surprise us again next offseason.