Ben Thomas (ice hockey)

Last updated
Ben Thomas
Ben Thomas.jpg
Thomas with the Syracuse Crunch in 2017
Born (1996-05-28) May 28, 1996 (age 28)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
DEL team
Former teams		 Iserlohn Roosters
Tampa Bay Lightning
Leksands IF
Växjö Lakers
Tappara
NHL draft 119th overall, 2014
Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career 2016–present

Ben Thomas (born May 28, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing under contract to the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). [1]

Contents

Playing career

Thomas was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning, 119th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, while playing major junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Following the conclusion of his final junior season, finishing second amongst defenseman in scoring on the Vancouver Giants, Thomas was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 23, 2016. [2] Thomas immediately joined AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, and made his professional debut to end the 2015–16 season, recording 4 points in 8 regular season games.

After the expiration of his entry-level contract, he re-signed with Tampa Bay on a one-year, two-way contract on October 12, 2020. [3]

On April 4, 2021, Thomas skated in his first career NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Amalie Arena. [4] [5]

As a free agent from the Lightning after six seasons within the organization, Thomas opted to pursue a career abroad, agreeing to a one-year contract with Swedish top flight club, Leksands IF of the SHL, on August 25, 2021. [6] In the 2021–22 season, Thomas made 32 appearances with Leksands however was unable to make an impact in recording just 3 points. On February 10, 2022, he transferred mid-season to fellow SHL club, Växjö Lakers, for the remainder of the campaign. [7]

Continuing his European career, Thomas signed as a free agent to a one-year contract with Finnish club, Tappara of the Liiga, on August 18, 2022. [8] In the following 2022–23 season, Thomas was a fixture on the blueline with Tappara, appearing in 50 regular season games and contributing with 4 goals and 12 points. He added 5 points through 14 playoff games, helping Tappara claim their second consecutive Liiga title.

Leaving Tappara at the conclusion of his contract, Thomas agreed to a one-year contract with German club, Iserlohn Roosters of the DEL, on June 23, 2023. [9]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2012–13 Calgary Mustangs AJHL 121014—————
2012–13 Calgary Canucks AJHL3243733—————
2012–13 Calgary Hitmen WHL —————10000
2013–14 Calgary HitmenWHL727243139615613
2014–15 Calgary HitmenWHL607243128170442
2015–16 Calgary HitmenWHL1403310—————
2015–16 Vancouver Giants WHL608172540—————
2015–16 Syracuse Crunch AHL 81340—————
2016–17 Syracuse CrunchAHL71318213022581312
2017–18 Syracuse CrunchAHL72418225830002
2018–19 Syracuse CrunchAHL67214162440002
2019–20 Syracuse CrunchAHL563131622—————
2020–21 Syracuse CrunchAHL1618910—————
2020–21 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 50000—————
2021–22 Leksands IF SHL 3221316—————
2021–22 Växjö Lakers SHL15213620002
2022–23 Tappara Liiga 504812531414531
2023–24 Iserlohn Roosters DEL 452111327—————
NHL totals50000—————
SHL totals474262220002

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2014 Canada U18 Bronze medal icon.svg70112
Junior totals70112

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References

  1. ↑ "Ben Thomas". Elite Prospects.
  2. ↑ "Lightning sign defensman Ben Thomas to entry-level contract". Tampa Bay Lightning. March 23, 2016. Retrieved March 23, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Tampa Bay Lightning re-sign Defenseman Ben Thomas". Syracuse Crunch. October 12, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Lightning's Ben Thomas: Making NHL debut". CBS Sports . April 4, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Red Wings use three-goal second period to defeat Lightning". NHL. April 4, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Ben Thomas signs with Leksands IF" (in Swedish). Leksands IF. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Welcome Ben Thomas!" (in Swedish). Växjö Lakers. February 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Tappara sign Ben Thomas to one-year deal" (in Finnish). Tappara. August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Ben Thomas completes the Roosters defense" (in German). Iserlohn Roosters. June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
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