WASHINGTON D.C. – It’s 3:40 p.m. on Thursday afternoon and Tim Thomas is sitting on a chair, surrounded by his family for a quick photo shoot. His wife, Melissa, is behind him. Their three kids are next to her.



He makes a joke about how it feels like sitting on a throne, and laughs. The photographer starts snapping pictures while he holds a plaque listing all the accomplishments that led him to this honor. Winning the Conn Smythe at the age of 37 after his incredible performance in the 2011 playoffs, the oldest player in NHL history to earn that award. Leading Vermont to its first trip to the NCAA Frozen Four in 1996. A silver medal for Team USA in the 2010 Winter Olympics.



With the pictures finished, he’s asked to autograph a few jerseys on a nearby table. And soon, for a few minutes, he leaves his family behind, walks down a hallway at the Marriott Marquis, toward another room filled with media, waiting to talk to him in person for the first time...