No more doubting Thomas; IceDog has found his groove
When Akil Thomas walked into the Niagara IceDogs training camp two years ago, he arrived with the expectation and pressure that comes with being the team top draft pick.
Two seasons later, the six-foot-180 pound centre is delivering and playing a dominating role not just on the team, but in the OHL. He has six goals and 14 assists in 13 games and is on track to crack the 100-point barrier.
“It is his third year with us,” said head coach Billy Burke. “He has seen everything now. Now it is time for him to dominate on every shift. He has the ability, and there is no reason he can’t be a top five scorer in this league.”
Thomas’s numbers have increased every season. He had 21 goals and 27 assists in his rookie season with Niagara for 48 points. Last year, he had 22 goals and 59 assists for 81 points, which was enough for the Los Angeles Kings to make him a second-round pick in June’s NHL draft.
Thomas attended the Kings training camp in September and knows what’s necessary to take the next step. He has to get stronger, that’s a given for most junior
players. He is more than quick enough for junior, but there is probably some work to do when it comes to skating.
“Being with the Kings, I saw how things are done in the NHL,” Thomas said. “It gives me motivation. L.A. has development guys coming here to skate with me before practice. They watch video and text me and provide feedback on my game. We are fixing little things about my game.”
Thomas was born in Florida but raised in Toronto as his minor hockey career took off. His father, Kahlil, played 11 years in the minors and one year in Germany. He is coaching in the
ECHL this season with the Greenville, N.C., Swamp Rabbits.
Akil was the IceDogs firstround pick in 2016, 12th overall. While he has racked up points, he is turning out to be more playmaker than scorer. He is especially good at positioning his body to protect the puck from stronger defenders and find open teammates.
Thomas plays a well-rounded game, which Burke said will serve him well when he turns professional.
“Akil has been rock-solid defensively for us,” Burke said. “He’s physical. He’s always a threat. He does all the little things. You can tell he is a guy who cares. We are fortunate to have him.
“All the guys in the NHL put up big numbers in junior. It is the guys that adapt that have long careers.”
Niagara is fifth overall in the east with just three points separating the second- and seventhplace teams. The IceDogs are in Michigan this weekend for games with Saginaw Saturday and winless Flint Sunday afternoon. The next home game is Thursday against Mississauga.