Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

LA Kings Training Camp Preview: Akil Thomas

Originally posted on Hockey Royalty | By Kyle Garcia | Last updated Aug 7, 2024 10:54 AM ET

With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Akil Thomas!

Akil Thomas

Birthdate: January 2, 2000

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario

Height: 5’11

Weight: 185 lbs

Position: Center/Right wing

Shoots: Right

Draft: 2nd round, 51st overall, 2018 NHL Entry Draft

2023-24 season

Since turning pro and joining the Kings’ organization in the shortened 2021 season, shoulder injuries have kept Akil Thomas off the ice. Before last season, Thomas suited up in 53 out of 140 games the previous two seasons becauseof those injuries. Finally, a healthy season in 2023-24 saw Thomas reach career-highs in games played (64), goals (22), assists (24), and points (46) in the AHL.

Trust and leadership qualities are why Akil Thomas wore an “A” for the Reign this year. While teammate Samuel Fagemo was getting attention in January for a call-up to the Kings, and rightfully so, Thomas was quietly having a good season and riding a six-game point streak. Thomas played center and right wing and was used on the power play and penalty kill in addition to five-on-five.

While Thomas wasn’t called up in January, his tremendous season continued and was highlighted by a spin-o-rama overtime winner against the Calgary Wranglers in March. Thomas won AHL Player of the Week for that week and scored the game-winning goal in all three Reign games.

With injuries piling up on the Kings’ roster in late March, Thomas was finally rewarded with a call-up and made his NHL debut on April 1st against the Winnipeg Jets, where he only had 3:42 of ice time as the 4C. He recorded his first NHL goal the following game against the San Jose Sharks in a 2-1 Kings victory. In seven games for the Kings, Thomas recorded four points (3G-1A).

Thomas would finish the season in Ontario and play a vital role in the Reign’s playoff run by recording five points (2G-3A) in eight games.

2024-25 outlook

Thomas will return to the organization after signing a two-year deal in the offseason. Thomas is a player who I think can be versatile for the Kings. They can play him on the wing and at center, move him up and down the lineup, and, with that right-handed shot of his, can play the bumper man on either power play unit with that quick release. It’ll be interesting to see how the Kings deploy the 24-year-old but with his ability to be a capable middle-six player, I have no doubt Jim Hiller will have an easy time trusting him.

This article first appeared on Hockey Royalty and was syndicated with permission.

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