The Los Angeles Kings continue to secure more of their prospects, signing Akil Thomas to his three-year Entry Level Contract today. Thomas, a 19-year old center, is in his third year with the Ontario Hockey League’s Niagara IceDogs. He’s having a career year in all categories, putting up 37 goals and 63 assists in 62 games played.
Thomas’ 100 points are good for ninth overall in the OHL this season; he sits tied for third on his team, behind Jason Robertson (114 points) and tied with Ben Jones. Suffice it to say, the IceDogs don’t have any issues with putting pucks in nets.
Thomas was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft and has exceeded all expectations so far. As another player who slipped in the draft order to the second round, the Kings were more than pleased to select him with their pick. This season, he’s stepped up in a leadership role for the IceDogs and is someone who Hockey Canada should be keeping an eye on for next year’s World Juniors competition.
Thomas cracked the top 10 of our annual Top 25 Under 25 Rankings this summer, highly regarded by both our contingent of readers and contributors.
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2018 Los Angeles Kings Top 25 Under 25: #10 Akil Thomas
Because of Thomas’ age, he will have to be returned to the OHL next season if he doesn’t make the NHL. He is ineligible to play for the Ontario Reign. He should get a nice long look with the Kings during training camp, however.
Akil can’t stop, won’t stop 👊#NIAGvsMISS #BornReady #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/b2KPnKI48q
— ❌- Niagara IceDogs (@OHLIceDogs) March 14, 2019
Great zone entry and assist from Akil Thomas. pic.twitter.com/ULapFDhuGP
— also sean dhooghe (@DraftLook) February 18, 2019
Another element of Akil Thomas’ game I really appreciate is his ability to navigate traffic with a combination of finesse and power. In this clip his move fails, but he gets his stick on the puck, breaks through the check, and gets a solid shot off. pic.twitter.com/XQtYMzeEGW
— Mitch Brown (@MitchLBrown) March 17, 2018