Attitude Key For Seals' Thomas
October 17, 2006 - SPHL (SPHL)
Florida Seals News Release
CELEBRATION, Fla. - Being a professional athlete takes a great deal of physical skill. It also involves having the right attitude. If you think like a winner, you'll be a winner.
Kahlil Thomas has no problem thinking like a winner. He's been one.
Florida Seals Head Coach/ V.P. of Hockey Operations Tommy Stewart and General Manager Bryan Elliott announced today that they had agreed to terms with Thomas, bringing the 30 year old forward to the Silver Spurs Arena this fall.
"Championship fever will spread around the dressing room," Thomas said in a phone interview. "It's an attitude that spreads. It'll help start the fire going."
Thomas' 10-year career spans five leagues and covers just about every level in professional minor league hockey. It is punctuated by three championships and being named playoff Most Valuable Player. He's been within an eyelash of the bright lights of the National Hockey League and lived a dream by wearing the colors of his hometown team at their AHL affiliate.
The professional journey for the Toronto, Ontario born Thomas began in 1996 with a single game in the CHL for the Columbus Cottonmouths. Unfazed by the one and done in Columbus, a brief call-up to the Detroit Vipers of the IHL and a short five gave stint with Pensacola in the ECHL, Thomas hooked on with the Flint Generals in the Colonial Hockey League (now the UHL). It proved to be a good move as the young center had 26 goals and 26 assists for 52 points in 50 games with the Generals. It would be the precursor of things to come.
Flint was the perfect fit for Thomas. In 1997-1998, he had his best pro season, netting 24 goals and dishing out 58 assists for 82 points in just 61 games. That was followed by a 39 points in 35 games campaign in 1998-1999.
The 1999-2000 season in Flint was special. Under the direction of former NHLer Doug Shedden, the Generals won the league championship. Thomas did his part, garnering 65 points (24 goals, 41 assists) in the regular season and another three goals and five helpers in the playoff run.
"It was a great experience. Winning it all is everybody's goal," Thomas said. "Your first one is always the best."
That year also included a brief two game shot with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, the first of two stops Thomas has made in the highest minor league in North America. The following season, 2000-2001, saw yet another 70 plus point season in Flint and a six game ride with the Vipers in the IHL, including a stop in Orlando to take on the Solar Bears.
When the 2001-2002 campaign rolled around, Shedden was in Memphis coaching the CHL's Riverkings and Thomas was more than willing to rejoin his coach from Flint. In 49 games that season, Thomas compiled 18 goals and 44 assists for the playoff-bound Riverkings. In the post-season, he notched nine goals and 11 assists, including the game-tying goals in the deciding game of the championship series against Austin. Memphis won the game in overtime to take home the Miron Cup and give Thomas his second ring.
Thomas was rearing to go when the Riverkings laced up the skates to defend their title in 2002-2003. Boy was he ready. 23 goals and 44 assists for 67 points in 63 games helped Thomas lead Memphis back to the post-season. Once there, he posted 5 goals and 18 assists in only 14 contests. He saved the best for last, scoring five minutes into the second overtime of the Miron Cup clinching game, sending Austin home empty handed once again and giving Memphis back-to-back CHL crowns. Thomas' performance also earned him playoff MVP honors.
By the 2003-2004 season, people were taking notice of Thomas' talents. The AHL came calling again and although it was but for nine games, it was about as close as one could get to fulfilling a lifelong dream without quite getting there. The Toronto native found himself wearing the blue and white of the St. John's Maple Leafs, the farm team of his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs.
"I'm from Toronto originally, and just to put on the blue and white even though it wasn't the Toronto Maple Leafs, it kind of felt like it," he recalled. "It was an unbelievable feeling."
He finished 03-04 back in Flint, scoring six goals and adding 25 assists. The last two season have seen Thomas in the jersey of the Oklahoma City Blazers in the CHL.
So, how would Thomas describe his style of play?
"I can play any position. Last season (at OKC) I played defense and I made the All-Star Game as a defenseman. I usually play center," he said. "I'm not going to score 50 or 60 goals. I might get 50 or 60 assists. I usually set up my wingers."
"I like to move the puck. I like to make plays. I would say I'm more of a playmaker," he added. "I always have my teammates' back. I don't talk on the ice. I don't try to pick fights but if I see any of my teammates getting taken advantage of, I just snap."
Thomas' decision to take Coach Stewart up on his offer to play here was motivated by both personal and professional reasoning.
"I know it's a great place from having been there when I was in the IHL," he explained. "My wife's family is opening up a business down there so it just all came together all of a sudden."
"It was also knowing that Tommy is a winner," he added. "I wouldn't mind winning another championship."
The Florida Seals will be hosting an "Open House" at the Silver Spurs Arena on Saturday, October 21st from 1-5pm. Come out and see all the players and the B&W Mobile Auto Detailing "Ice Girls." For season tickets, contact the Seals at 407-343-7825 ext 4052 and for single game tickets, go to the Silver Spurs Box Office or order online at www.ticketmaster.com.
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