Like most NHL prospects, it’s been a long and winding road for Akil Thomas to get from the 2018 Draft to what will likely be his return to the NHL this week. If anything, his seven-game audition last season only fueled the fire that’s been burning inside him for years. In that brief cup of coffee with the big club last April, the 24-year-old found the back of the net three times, furthering his belief that he belongs up with the Kings.
To earn his roster spot, Thomas plied his trade in the AHL for few years, after a remarkable junior career — including a 102-point campaign with OHL Niagra the year after LA selected him in the second round. Of course, he also scored the golden goal for Canada at the 2020 World Junior Championship.
So, what did he learn about himself this summer, in preparation for what could be the biggest season of his pro career to date?
“I feel like the last few years I’ve been kind of focusing on my nutrition,” he began. “I’ve been showing more of an interest in it; just figuring out the specifics of kind of what I want to achieve with myself. That’s one thing I was more detailed about personally than maybe any other summer.”
Another thing he’s still trying to figure out is how to get more ice time. That’s not something uncommon for younger players. However, he may have an edge in that he can comfortably play center or wing, on virtually any line.
“The plan coming into camp was to try me at center, but it’s a long year, things can change,” he said with a bit of a half-smile. “I wouldn’t be surprised if I happened to play wing for half the year. I’m ready for whatever. I’m just here to be a Swiss Army Knife, willing to play wherever Jim [Hiller] needs me, up and down the lineup. Whatever they need — I can be versatile that way.”
Part of his confidence comes from simply being healthy. After missing the better part of two seaosns with various shoulder injuries, Thomas was a consistent force for the Reign last year, scoring 22 goals in 64 games and being somebody Ontario coach Marco Sturm counted on nightly.
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Additional confidence came from the brief call-up last season, where he proved he belonged.
“That was huge,” Thomas stated. “This was really the first time where I came into camp with that extra boost of confidence. I look back at like my first couple of camps and think back, I remember coming in and being so nervous to do every drill, every rep. Maybe I wasn’t doing things like I normally would because I was just so anxious. Now, every day, every practice or game situation, I’m feeling good out there and making more plays. I’m a little bit more confident, and I think that will help me moving forward.”
Likely also helping to fill his confidence jar was scoring a goal during a preseason game in Anaheim.
“It definitely helped,” he said, while nodding in agreement.
Unexpectedly, Thomas was moved up to the second line that night, playing with Phil Danault and Tanner Jeannot. And it was something that came together at the last minute, when the team opted to not have Trevor Moore travel to Orange County. Even though he wasn’t aware of the change until arriving at Honda Center just before game time, Thomas took it all in stride — similar to how he approaches most things in life.
“I just want to get better every game and feel better every game,” he said, offering a little bit of a hockey cliche to the conversation. “I’m just looking to build some momentum in the early part of the season, maybe add a little bit more confidence, make a few more plays, and just get better as each day passes.”
His goal that night came at the perfect time, as Hiller had a conversation with him the day prior and told him, ‘It’s time to get going.’
Thomas did just that.
Now, Hiller may be in the position to call his number once again this week. For starters, Thomas has been a healthy scratch for three straight games — and any NHL game is a privilege to play in — yet, Wednesday night in Toronto would be that much sweeter, as he’s from nearby Scarborough.
Just don’t make the mistake of thinking Thomas was a Leafs fan growing up:
Now, we have to touch on one more topic to close things out.
What’s the deal with the number swap this season? No. 26 was not only new, but it also seemed to come out of left field.
“Pretty random,” he said with a slight chuckle. “My family number is 44, that’s Mikey. I used 55 in minor Hockey, that’s Q, obviously. My secondary family number is 24, that’s Phil. I would have then gone to14, but Laffy chose 14. So, there just weren’t really many options. I chose 26; figured it was a new slate, try it out and see how it goes.”
Wednesday in Toronto, Thomas could be taking his new No. 26 for a test-drive against the Leafs, in front of a myriad of friends and family. Hiller and all involved may just get to see how it goes.
Lead photo by ALoImages
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Lets hope that if Akil “Killer” plays tonight that he gets more than five minutes of ice time. I still think back on that incredible overtime goal he scored in March for the Reign during their march to the Playoffs.