Ontario Reign: What does the future hold for Akil Thomas?

It’s unfortunate for the 22-year-old to receive another setback. Prior to the 2021-2022 season, Thomas, as you probably all know by now, had double-shoulder surgery and didn’t make his season debut until December 4th. After playing in just two games, Thomas would be out again, this time for a month.

The injury for Thomas occurred during the third period of a game against the Henderson Silver Knights. During a post-whistle scrum, Thomas got tangled with Henderson’s Connor Ford and awkwardly landed on his right shoulder. Thomas would go to the locker room and wouldn’t return. With the Kings having a lot of prospects in the pipeline and plenty of restricted free agents of their own to deal with this summer, one has to wonder what Thomas’ future could be like.

Below is the list of restricted free agents the Kings have this upcoming offseason, according to CapFriendly:

• Frederic Allard (arbitration-eligible)
• Mikey Anderson (arbitration-eligible)
• Jaret Anderson-Dolan (arbitration-eligible)
• Lias Andersson (arbitration-eligible)
• Tobie Bisson (arbitration-eligible)
• Tobias Bjornfot
• Aidan Dudas
• Samuel Fagemo
• David Hrenak (arbitration-eligible)
• Jacob Ingham
• Rasmus Kupari
• Tyler Madden
• Akil Thomas
• Gabriel Vilardi (arbitration-eligible)
• Matthew Villalta
• Austin Wagner (arbitration-eligible)
• Taylor Ward (arbitration-eligible)

That is a total of 17 restricted free agents and Akil Thomas is one of those 17. With this latest injury, what does the future hold for Thomas?

Flashes from the first two seasons

Watching the abbreviated 2020-2021 season, Akil Thomas was one of a handful of players who were noticeable during the season. In his first season as a professional, he recorded 26 points in 40 games and even recorded a natural hat trick in a game against the Bakersfield Condors. To end that season, he recorded ten points in his last seven games and looked like he could get a cup of coffee with the Kings soon.

Unfortunately, the 2021-2022 season took a turn for the worst. After missing all of training camp and almost the first two months of the season, Thomas made his debut after double-shoulder surgery. He didn’t record his first goal until March 26th and ended the season red hot, looking like the Akil Thomas we saw during the shortened 2020-2021 season.

This season

Entering this season, Thomas was fully healthy and started the year strong recording four points in his first four games. He looked good on the power play, penalty kill, and 5-on-5, and even saw playing time at both center and wing. I thought for sure he would get his call-up, but the injury bug struck once again. As of right now, Thomas has five goals and three assists for eight points in 13 games.

Will he be back?

It will be a busy summer for the Kings. In addition to the 17 restricted free agents, they also need to figure out which ones will be part of the future. Is Akil Thomas part of those plans? That’s a question general manager Rob Blake will need to figure out. We’ve seen flashes and the potential is there, it’s just unfortunate that injuries keep popping up.

When healthy, he is a good middle-six player that can play 5-on-5, be lethal on the power play, and kill penalties. While injuries have put it in doubt, I expect him to be back and start the 2023-2024 season for the Ontario Reign. From what we’ve seen when he is on the ice, it’s worth it to bring him back on a one or two-year deal and see if he can earn the call-up to the Kings. With the Kings’ pipeline being deep as it is, and not many roster spots being open, it may be the last chance he’ll get with the organization.