Akil Thomas

He was eventually drafted in the second round, 51st overall, by the Los Angeles Kings.

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."

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.

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.

The day after he signed his contract, Thomas recorded his 100th point of the season.

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.

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.

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.

Prior to being drafted by the Ice Dogs, their head scout John Neville described him as a mix of Alex Friesen and Nazem Kadri.

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.

He scored his first career OHL goal in the following game to help lead the IceDogs over the Erie Otters.

Thomas earned Rookie of the Month for the month of October honours and set a new franchise record for regular season points scored by a rookie.

At the end of the 2016–17 season he finished second overall in OHL rookie of the year voting.

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.

As a youth, Thomas played with the Toronto Marlboros of the GTHL where he scored a team-leading 72 points in 56 games.

On April 20, 2017, Thomas was named to the OHL's 2017 All-Rookie team.

Due to his success as a rookie, Thomas was named one of the alternate captains for the IceDogs before the 2017–18 OHL season.

He finished the regular season leading the team with 81 points and ended the postseason third in team scoring with 11 points in 10 games.

Prior to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Thomas was projected as a top eligible draft pick.

Leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Thomas was considered a first-round draft pick, with the final ranking from the NHL Central Scouting Bureau placing Thomas 15th overall for North American skaters.

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.

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.

Shortly thereafter, Thomas recorded another five point night on October 12, in a 7–2 win over the Barrie Colts.

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.

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.

After attending the Kings rookie camp, Thomas was named the IceDogs captain for the 2019–20 season.

In his first three games of the season, Thomas recorded three points 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.

On October 19, he was named to 2019 CIBC Canada/Russia Series alongside teammate Philip Tomasino and he recorded a goal in their first game against Russia.

Upon returning from international competition in 2020, he was traded to the Peterborough Petes.

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.

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.

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.