Logan Thompson has lived his college life to the fullest.

The art of being a college student in the 21st century has likely changed over the past 20 years, but eating pizza and drinking beer doesn’t seem like a bad way to go.

If Thompson knew what the next two years would bring from his days at Brock University, he would gladly have passed on the Domino’s and (probably) Molson.

And as the Henderson Silver Knights’ No. 1 goalie, he could at least afford Pizza Hut now.

Thompson, 24, is entering his first training camp with the Vegas Golden Knights on the verge of finding time in the NHL in his future. Thompson, who led the Silver Knights with a 16-6-1 record last season, a best GAA rate of 1.96 and a save percentage of .943, won the Bastien Memorial Award as the best American Hockey League goaltender.

“The past year has been a lot of fun,” said Thompson. “We had a good team and I felt like I made some progress in my own game.”

This is an understatement.

Before Thompson signed an entry-level contract with the Golden Knights in July 2020, he played 32 games with the South Carolina Stingrays at ECHL. But heading into this season in which he had a 2.25 GPA and .925 save percentage, professional hockey didn’t seem to be in the cards.

During four years with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Thompson allowed almost 3.3 goals per game and the save percentage only hovered at 0.905.

Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon, who coached Thompson for Brandon, must have had a hunch the Calgary native was going to be successful. A year later, even Captain Obvious rolls his eyes at how this is working for the Vegas organization.

Thompson entered the camp as the No. 3 goaltender in the system behind Robin Lehner and Laurent Brossoit. Barring nothing drastic, Thompson will don the silver pads on opening night. Before that, he will get a pre-season preview and could start one of Vegas’ first two home games.

The Golden Knights open Sunday’s exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena against the San Jose Sharks.

“Getting used to the NHL-caliber shooting and the preseason is going to be a good measure for me to see where I am with my game,” he said, “and I hope good things will occur.

It’s been a strange season for everyone involved, but maybe no player in the Vegas organization has taken more advantage of the situation than Thompson. When Lehner missed a month last season with a concussion, Thompson spent many nights as Marc-André Fleury’s replacement.

Thompson made his NHL debut on March 11 at the Minnesota Wild. He saw two shots, saved them both, in the eight minutes of playing action he got in relief from Fleury. While that month was Fleury’s seal to win the Vézina Trophy, Thompson spent those days learning from the third-most victorious goaltender in NHL history.

“He’s a Hall of Fame guy,” said Thompson. “And being fair with the guys, learning how to be a good teammate and watching Flower train was awesome and surreal. I’m grateful for the opportunity and just try to take it day by day every time I’m here. .

“I think once you’re here you sit on the bench at T-Mobile and want to be there everyday. It’s a great experience, the fans are great and that’s where I want to play.

It will be an important year to see where Thompson fits into the Golden Knights’ plans. Although he had the best season of any AHL goaltender and was instrumental in a successful first season at Henderson, he has only played against the same teams a handful of times due to of the season shortened by COVID.

With the AHL returning to a full 72-game season, Thompson will have an increased workload with more opponents on the horizon. But there is no doubt that the confidence that the organization has in him to reach the next level is at endless heights.

“He’s a guy who has really proven he’s ready to play games in the NHL,” said Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer. “As [Peyton] Krebs and [Kaedan] Korczak and all those guys, does that mean in September, or December, or the second semester? Or if we hurt ourselves? I do not know. I am convinced that he can come in and play based on his work.