Akil Thomas

Akil Thomas
Akil Thomas 1.jpg
Thomas with the Los Angeles Kings in 2018
Born (2000-01-02) January 2, 2000 (age 24)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada [notes 1]
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team		 Los Angeles Kings
Ontario Reign (AHL)
NHL draft 51st overall, 2018
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2021–present

Akil Thomas (born January 2, 2000) is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Los Angeles Kings. In the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Thomas drafted in the second round, 51st overall, by Los Angeles.

Thomas began his major junior hockey career with the Niagara IceDogs in 2016. While with the team, Thomas set a new franchise record for regular-season points scored by a rookie and was named their captain. Upon returning from international competition in 2020, he was traded to the Peterborough Petes.

Internationally, Thomas has represented Team Canada at the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships, 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, 2018 IIHF World U18 Championships, and 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.

Playing career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

As a youth, Thomas played with the Toronto Marlboros of the GTHL where he scored a team-leading 72 points in 56 games.[1] He then played for the St. Michael's Buzzers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) before being selected 12th overall by the Niagara IceDogs at the 2016 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) priority draft.[2][1] While with the Buzzers, Thomas led the team in playoff points with 13 in seven games. He eventually signed a standard player agreement with the IceDogs on June 4, 2016.[3] Prior to being drafted by the IceDogs, their head scout John Neville described him as a mix of Alex Friesen and Nazem Kadri.[4]

Major junior

[edit]

In his first year of the OHL, during the 2016–17 season, Thomas recorded 48 points in 61 games. He scored his first career OHL point in a 3–1 win over the North Bay Battalion on September 23, 2016.[5] He scored his first career OHL goal in the following game to help lead the IceDogs over the Erie Otters.[6] Thomas earned Rookie of the Month for the month of October honours[7] and set a new franchise record for regular season points scored by a rookie.[8] On April 20, 2017, Thomas was named to the OHL's 2017 All-Rookie team.[9] At the end of the 2016–17 season he finished second overall in OHL rookie of the year voting.[10] Due to his success as a rookie, Thomas was named one of the alternate captains for the IceDogs before the 2017–18 OHL season.[11] He finished the regular season leading the team with 81 points[12][13] and ended the postseason third in team scoring with 11 points in 10 games.[14]

Leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Thomas was considered a first-round draft pick,[10][15][16][17] with the final ranking from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau placing Thomas 15th overall for North American skaters.[18] Thomas was eventually drafted in the second round, 51st overall, by the Los Angeles Kings. After the draft, Thomas stated that he would "make every team that didn't draft me regret it, and that's kind of my mentality for the next few months getting ready for the season."[19]

Prior to the 2018–19 season, Thomas was again named an alternate captain for the IceDogs and was invited to the Los Angeles Kings development camp.[20] Upon returning to the OHL for the new season, he earned OHL Player of the Week honours during its opening week after recording five points in an 8–6 win over the Mississauga Steelheads.[21] Shortly thereafter, Thomas recorded another five point night on October 12, in a 7–2 win over the Barrie Colts.[22] As a result of his overall playmaking ability and skill, the Kings signed Thomas to a three-year, entry-level contract on March 16, 2019. At the time of his signing, Thomas ranked ninth in points and tied for fourth in assists.[23] The day after he signed his contract, Thomas recorded his 100th point of the season. Teammate Ben Jones also recorded his 100th point in the same game, making the pair the first teammates to reach 100 points since 2007–08.[24] During the 2018–19 OHL playoffs, Thomas recorded four points in five games to help the IceDogs beat the North Bay Battalion. In the second round, he was similarly effective, recording two points in three games, however, the IceDogs would lose to the Oshawa Generals.[25]

After attending the Kings rookie camp, Thomas was named the IceDogs captain for the 2019–20 season.[26] In his first three games of the season, Thomas recorded three points[27] and eventually tied the team's franchise record for most assists in a game. The new record came while he recorded a new career high of single game assists with a five assist night in an 8–4 win over the Kingston Frontenacs.[28] On October 19, he was named to 2019 CIBC Canada/Russia Series alongside teammate Philip Tomasino[29] and he recorded a goal in their first game against Russia.[30] After returning from the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship on January 9, 2020, Thomas was traded to the Peterborough Petes in exchange for Cameron Butler and four draft picks.[31] Throughout his major junior career, Thomas wore number 44 on his jersey. Upon arriving to the Petes, Thomas called the brother of the late Steve Montador to ask for permission to wear the number.[32]

Professional

[edit]

On September 22, 2020, Thomas was loaned to Eisbären Berlin of the DEL due to the delayed start of the 2020–21 North American season.[33][34] After training with them, Thomas returned to North America and attended the Kings' training camp. On January 11, 2021, Thomas was one of 14 players re-assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Ontario Reign.[35] While with the Reign, Thomas was placed on a line with Quinton Byfield and Devante Smith-Pelly, the first all-black line in professional hockey since Herb Carnegie, Ossie Carnegie, and Manny McIntyre in the 1940s. During their first game together, Thomas recorded a natural hat-trick and his line combined for six points in the eventual win.[36] Shortly following this game, Thomas was recalled to the Kings' taxi squad where he would be able to practice and travel with the team. At the time, he had accumulated 13 points over 23 AHL games.[37] However, he was reassigned to the Ontario Reign the following day without playing any games.[38] He finished the shortened 2020–21 season with 26 points in 40 games.[39] At the conclusion of the season, Thomas underwent two shoulder surgeries[40] and returned to the Reign for the 2021–22 season in December 2021.[41]

Thomas began the 2022–23 season strong, tallying four goals and two assists for six points through eight games.[40][42] He added seven more points before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in late November.[43] On July 8, 2023, the Kings signed Thomas to a one-year two-way contract extension worth an average annual value of $775,000.[44]

In the first year of his new contract, Thomas set new career highs in goals, assists and points.[45] Prior to being called up to the NHL level, Thomas was recognized as the AHL Player of the Week for tallying four goals and two assists over three games.[46] Thomas was called up to the NHL level on March 31 and made NHL debut on April 1 against the Winnipeg Jets.[47]

International play

[edit]
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place 2020 Czech Republic

Thomas holds dual citizenship with Canada and the United States and has chosen to represent Canada internationally. In 2016, Thomas was selected to represent Canada White at the 2016 World U-17 Hockey Challenge in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.[48] He was named an alternate captain as well and scored 3 points in 5 games.[49]

Thomas again represented Canada when he played on Team Canada's under-18 team at the 2017 IIHF World U18 Championships in Slovakia, where Canada placed 5th overall.[2][1] In the same year, he also represented Canada during the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament,[50] where he scored 6 points to help Canada win their 21st gold title.[51] After the IceDogs were eliminated from the playoffs, Thomas was selected to play for Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF World U18 Championships.[52] He recorded two points in four games and Canada placed fifth overall in the tournament.[53]

On December 21, Thomas was named to Team Canada's roster for the 2020 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.[54] He played on the fourth line during the tournament and recorded his only goal in the gold medal round against Russia, the gold medal-winning goal.[55] As a result of his achievement, the Regional Municipality of Niagara deemed January 9, 2020, as "Akil Thomas Day."[56]

Personal life

[edit]

Thomas's mother is of Barbadian heritage, and his father, Kahlil, is originally from Toronto.[10] His father played hockey with the Toronto Maple Leafs American Hockey League affiliate, the St. John's Maple Leafs.[57] Akil joins his father in the scoring of a championship goal, Kahlil playing for the (then) Memphis RiverKings of the CHL scored the goal which won Memphis the second of two Ray Miron President's Cups in 2002–03.[58] His uncle Leo Thomas also played minor hockey, including some years with the Mississippi RiverKings and Fort Wayne Komets.[2][59] In May 2018, his uncle was named head coach of the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League, becoming the first black head coach for a professional ice hockey team in North America since John Paris Jr. accomplished the feat in the 1990s.[60] Thomas is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.[53][61]

Thomas was born in Toronto; however, his family regularly moved around due to his dad's minor hockey career.[1][62] After his father retired from hockey the family decided to stay in Orlando, Florida, which Thomas lists as his hometown.[1] However, when Thomas was 11 the family decided to move back to Toronto to allow for him to get better hockey-related opportunities.[63][62] Growing up, Thomas attended St. Michael's College School, where he was advised to skip a grade thus allowing Thomas to enroll in classes at Brock University.[10]

While playing with the Toronto Marlboros, Thomas made a cameo appearance in the film Soul On Ice: Past, Present & Future, which discusses the history of black players in hockey. His appearance was due to the director, Damon Kwame Mason, being a personal family friend.[63] Thomas also runs a clothing company called Zale Apparel with his friend Ethan Low which embraces his Barbadian heritage.[64]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2016–17 Niagara IceDogs OHL 61 21 27 48 17 4 0 0 0 0
2017–18 Niagara IceDogs OHL 68 22 59 81 36 10 5 6 11 6
2018–19 Niagara IceDogs OHL 63 38 64 102 40 8 3 3 6 4
2019–20 Niagara IceDogs OHL 27 15 29 44 30 — — — — —
2019–20 Peterborough Petes OHL 22 9 31 40 26 — — — — —
2020–21 Ontario Reign AHL 40 11 15 26 12 1 1 0 1 0
2021–22 Ontario Reign AHL 40 8 5 13 13 4 4 0 4 4
2022–23 Ontario Reign AHL 13 5 3 8 8 — — — — —
2023–24 Ontario Reign AHL 64 22 24 46 41 8 2 3 5 4
2023–24 Los Angeles Kings NHL 7 3 1 4 2 — — — — —
NHL totals 7 3 1 4 2 — — — — —

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2016 Canada White U17 4th 6 2 1 3 2
2017 Canada U18 5th 5 0 0 0 2
2017 Canada IH18 1st place, gold medalist(s) 5 2 4 6 0
2018 Canada U18 5th 4 1 1 2 0
2020 Canada WJC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 7 1 1 2 0
Junior totals 27 6 7 13 4

Awards and honours

[edit]
Award Year Ref
OHL
First All-Rookie Team 2017 [9]

Notes

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  1. ^ Although many sources mistakenly list Florida as his birthplace

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Sawchuk, Bill (June 16, 2017). "Dog days of summer for Akil Thomas". St. Catharines Standard. Archived from the original on December 19, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Sweetland, Josh (August 27, 2017). "OHL 20 in 20 Summer Spotlight: Akil the real deal for IceDogs". ontariohockeyleague.com. Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  3. ^ "Akil Thomas Signs with IceDogs". niagaraicedogs.net. Niagara IceDogs. June 4, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  4. ^ "No doubting Thomas as first pick". Niagara Falls Review. April 10, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  5. ^ "#GameRecap IceDogs Win Season Opener vs Battalion 3-1!". niagaraicedogs.net. Niagara IceDogs. September 23, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  6. ^ "IceDogs Defeat Erie Otters 4-3!". niagaraicedogs.net. October 6, 2016. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  7. ^ "Akil Thomas Named Top Rookie for October!". niagaraicedogs.net. Niagara IceDogs. October 31, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  8. ^ "IceDogs' Thomas sets new club points mark for rookies". ontariohockeyleague.com. Ontario Hockey League. March 10, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  9. ^ a b Ekblad, Darien (April 20, 2017). "Akil Thomas Named to OHL All Rookie Team!". niagaraicedogs.net. Niagara IceDogs. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  10. ^ a b c d Mahiban, Dhiren (November 22, 2017). "Skilled IceDogs forward Akil Thomas already has business interests outside hockey". Mississauga, Ontario: The National Post. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  11. ^ "IceDogs name Ben Jones, Akil Thomas alternate captains". St. Catharines Standard. September 23, 2017. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  12. ^ "OHL PLAYOFFS Eastern Conference Quarter-Final Preview". niagaraicedogs.net. Niagara IceDogs. March 22, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  13. ^ Pyette, Ryan (March 21, 2018). "OHL playoff preview: Eastern Conference". The London Free Press. Retrieved March 24, 2018. Play-making Akil Thomas is an NHL first rounder after team-leading 81 points
  14. ^ "Thomas, Bruder, and MacPherson listed in NHL CSS Final Rankings". niagaraicedogs.net. Niagara IceDogs. April 16, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  15. ^ Cosentino, Sam (October 3, 2017). "Sportsnet's 2018 NHL Draft Prospect Rankings". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  16. ^ "140 CHL Players Listed in 2018 NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings". chl.ca. January 22, 2018. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  17. ^ Mitchell, Allan (June 24, 2017). "2018 NHL Draft: Names to Know for Next Year's Prospects". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  18. ^ "2018 Draft Prospect Rankings". NHL.com. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  19. ^ Franke, Bernd (June 28, 2018). "Akil Thomas committed to living up to projection as first-round NHL Draft pick". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
  20. ^ "Six IceDogs taking part in NHL development camps". St. Catharines Standard. September 6, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  21. ^ "OHL 'On the Run' Player of the Week: Akil Thomas". ontariohockeyleague.com. Ontario Hockey League. September 24, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  22. ^ Mawhood, Rod (October 12, 2018). "IceDogs roll over Colts as Akil Thomas records five-point night". St. Catharine Standard. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
  23. ^ "LA Kings Sign Akil Thomas to Three-Year Entry Level Contract". nhl.com. National Hockey League. March 16, 2019. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  24. ^ Bernd, Franke (March 17, 2019). "IceDogs centre Akil Thomas signs entry-level NHL deal with Los Angeles Kings". Welland Tribune. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  25. ^ "Prospect Report: Mikey Anderson". NHL.com. National Hockey League. April 18, 2019. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  26. ^ "2019-20 Leadership Support Group Announced". niagaraicedogs.net. Niagara IceDogs. September 18, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  27. ^ Sawchuk, Bill (October 11, 2019). "The leader of the pack". St Catharines Standard. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  28. ^ Dooley, Zach (October 16, 2019). "Prospect Report". nhl.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  29. ^ "Thomas and Tomasino named to both CIBC Canada Russia Series Games". niagaraicedogs.net. Niagara IceDogs. October 16, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  30. ^ "Akil Thomas and Team OHL too much for Russia in Game 3". niagaraicedogs.net. Niagara IceDogs. November 8, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  31. ^ "Petes Acquire Centre Akil Thomas from the Niagara IceDogs". Peterborough Petes. January 9, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  32. ^ "Akil Thomas will wear No. 44 with the Peterborough Petes in honour of Steve Montador". bardown.com. Bardown. January 10, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
  33. ^ Kennedy, Ryan (October 27, 2020). "RYAN AND AKIL'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE". The Hockey News. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  34. ^ Harris, Jack (September 22, 2020). "Why the Kings are lending some of their top prospects to European clubs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  35. ^ "LA Kings Announce Training Camp Roster Moves". National Hockey League. January 11, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  36. ^ Harrison, Doug (March 22, 2021). "Akil Thomas notches natural hat trick to lead hockey's 1st all-Black line since '40s". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  37. ^ "Kings' Akil Thomas: Rises to active roster". CBS Sports. April 3, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  38. ^ "Kings' Akil Thomas: Sent to bus league". CBS Sports. April 4, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  39. ^ "Kings' Akil Thomas: Injured ahead of camp". CBS Sports. September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  40. ^ a b Jablonski, Jack (November 4, 2022). "LA Kings Prospect Report, 11/4". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  41. ^ "Kings' Akil Thomas: Activated, reassigned to minors". CBS Sports. December 3, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  42. ^ "Weekend notebook: Reign loaded again with young stars". American Hockey League. November 11, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  43. ^ "Kings' Akil Thomas: Season-ending shoulder surgery". CBS Sports. November 25, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  44. ^ "Kings Sign Forward Akil Thomas to a One-Year Contract". National Hockey League. July 8, 2023. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  45. ^ "LA Kings Announce Roster Moves". National Hockey League. March 31, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  46. ^ "Reign's Thomas named AHL Player of the Week". American Hockey League. March 25, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  47. ^ "NHL Debut: Akil Thomas (Apr. 1, 2024)". Canadian Hockey League. April 2, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  48. ^ "CAN White 2016 Roster". hockeycanada.ca. Hockey Canada. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  49. ^ "Dudas, Roberts, Thomas Named WU17 Assistant Captains". ontariohockeyleague.com. Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  50. ^ Aaron, Vickers (August 2, 2017). "Canada names roster for 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  51. ^ "21 CHL players win gold with Canada at 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup". whl.ca. Western Hockey League. August 12, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  52. ^ "Thomas among 6 players added to Canadian 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship Roster". niagaraicedogs.net. Niagara Icedogs. April 18, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  53. ^ a b "AKIL THOMAS". www.eliteprospects.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  54. ^ "Canada's National Junior Team Sets Roster". hockeycanada.ca. Hockey Canada. December 22, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  55. ^ "Canada comes back to beat Russia, win gold at World Juniors". tsn.ca. The Sports Network. January 5, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2020.
  56. ^ "'Akil Thomas Day' Celebrated Across Niagara". nhl.com. National Hockey League. January 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 10, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  57. ^ "KAHLIL THOMAS". eliteprospects.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  58. ^ "Memphis vs Austin: 4-3 Boxscore". Pointstreak. Pointstreak.com.
  59. ^ "LEO THOMAS". eliteprospects.com. Elite Prospects. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  60. ^ Commito, Mike (November 26, 2019). "Akil Thomas Harnesses the Power of the Sea for Off-Ice Business". nhl.com. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  61. ^ "63 Americans Taken in OHL Draft". ushr.com. USHR. April 9, 2016. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  62. ^ a b Scheig, Mark (October 16, 2017). "Q & A with Top Prospect Akil Thomas". thehockeywriters.com. The Hockey Writers. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
  63. ^ a b Mike G. Morreale (February 8, 2018). "Thomas aims to excel on, off ice in NHL". NHL.com. National Hockey League. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  64. ^ Mahiban, Dhiren (June 18, 2018). "Fashion Forward". iihf.com. International Ice Hockey Federation. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
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