Summer Hockey Series: Q&A with Sydney Thompson

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Since the Flyers are still in the playoffs and I happen to know this next Hockey Wife from when her husband played with the Canadiens, I figured it was a great time to post my interview with Sydney Thompson.

Sydney is the wife of Philadelphia Flyers centerman, Nate Thompson! Below, you can read all about Nate’s healthy lifestyle, how Sydney spends her time while he is away in the bubble and what her take is on the players deciding to move some of their games last week.

Hockey in the summer!! What does this look like for you and your family?

Hockey in the summer has definitely been different, but very fun! We miss having Nate at home, but after the first week, life seemed back to normal. I just think of it as an extended road trip within a bubble, haha. Although, at times it is hard being separated for this long, I am so happy for him to be playing. At the end of the day, the guys are doing what they love and you can't beat that! We have family dinner every week and FaceTime Nate in for a bit, so he's still seeing everyone's faces, just from the bubble.

Is there something you look forward to when the guys are gone? (for example less cooking, having the bed to yourself, etc.)

The dogs and I have definitely enjoyed having more room in the bed and less sweaty workout clothing to wash! While we were home together, the amount of sweaty clothing I had to endure was enough for a lifetime. He really took the home workouts to another level, so that has been nice, but I do miss cooking meals for us. I love to cook and I've noticed without Nate at home I don't enjoy cooking as much, because I eat double the portions, but I'm still baking way too much.

We potentially have a fall season with no hockey, any plans?

We will probably just spend the time with family and maybe do some fishing. Nothing too crazy.

What is your favorite part of quarantine with your boyfriend/hubby?

My favorite part was spending that time together - cheesy, but true. During the summer time/off season, he trains nonstop. Nate only takes a short amount of time "off" and it's really not time off. He's planning his training and we're planning his meals, diet, etc so it was nice to get re-grounded together, play board games and even attempt to play video games together. I sucked so badly, but I did try!

Are the ladies on your team doing anything particular for playoffs? Weird times not being together, do you guys still chat about the games?

We are texting every game and cheering the guys on! In the beginning, it was such a weird feeling not being physically there for the games, but now it feels normal to be watching from home. At the end of the day, playoffs are playoffs and the excitement is still there. I think I am just as crazy watching from my TV as I am in the stands!

Now that we are well in to the playoffs how do you handle watching the games? Calm and cool or are you yelling at the TV?

Well like I said above, I get crazy haha. I am totally nuts about games and because of the bubble, my family and I have been getting together to watch the games, which has been really fun. So it's a lot of yelling and emotions in one house!

How is your bf/hubby handling the NHL bubble? In a routine now or does it get harder the longer it goes?

Nate is a big routine guy, so he got into one quickly. He has his video games with him, I sent him some pillows and snacks... so it is safe to say that he's turned his hotel room into an apartment.

Any thoughts on entering the bubble if/when the team advances far enough to do so?

I think families going into the bubble would be really amazing, especially to be able to cheer on the guys during such momentous times in their careers, but it's safety first because of the times that we are in. The safety of the players, coaching staff, management and everyone who is currently in the bubble is the first priority, so we will see what happens, but very exciting to see how it pans out!

5 things you are loving right now?

1. Trying new recipes

2. Taking virtual workout classes

3. The peloton! We have had the bike for a while now, but I never tried it until we came home in March. Now I am obsessed!

4. Spending time with family/ connecting with friends all over

5. Organizing and decluttering

Any opinion on the players deciding not to play the games/ the games being moved due to social justice?

The players stood together to stand up for something in this world that needs to change and I'm proud of my husband and everyone involved that they were part of something so powerful.