Blazers Sign Kahlil and Leo Thomas

Published on September 3, 2004 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Oklahoma City Blazers News Release


Oklahoma City, Okla. – The Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League signed forwards Kahlil Thomas and Leo Thomas, Blazers head coach Doug Sauter announced today.

Kahlil Thomas, a 28-year old from Toronto, Ontario, began last season with the St. John's Maple Leafs of the American Hockey League, played five games for the Memphis RiverKings, and finished the season with the Flint Generals of the United Hockey League. In 56 games between the three clubs, the 5-9, 190-pound Thomas produced 33 points (6-27-33) and served 64 penalty minutes. Thomas will be entering his ninth season as a professional. In 485 games over those eight seasons, he has scored 522 points (178-344-522) and served 385 penalty minutes.

The elder Thomas excels in the postseason. Five times in his eight-year career, his team has played in the final round of the playoffs, with his team winning three of those series. In 89 career postseason games, Thomas has registered 90 points (39-51-90). Blazers fans may remember Kahlil Thomas as a member of the 2002 and 2003 CHL champion Memphis RiverKings. He was named CHL Playoff Most Valuable Player for the 2003 postseason, picking up a league high 23 points (5-18-23), including the series-clinching goal in each playoff series during the 2003 postseason.

Leo Thomas, a 22-year old native of Toronto, skated with his older brother in Flint last season. The 6-1, 190-pounder recorded 37 points (18-19-37) and served 73 penalty minutes in 71 games in his rookie campaign. Prior to turning pro, Leo racked up 102 points (36-66-102) and served 172 penalty minutes in his last two seasons of junior hockey.

"I had originally planned on heading to England," said Kahlil Thomas. "But I got a call from Hardy over the summer. For Oklahoma City to call and ask about me is a compliment. I know the Blazers are committed to winning and I am also."

"This is our biggest addition to our team to date," said Sauter. "The older Thomas is as fast as they come, he comes to play each night and is excellent in the playoffs. He had seven points against us in the playoffs in 2003. Leo had a great first year as a pro and Kahlil told he is a faster skater than he is."

Kahlil Thomas joins Hardy Sauter and Bryan Forslund as veteran players on the Blazers roster. Each CHL team is permitted to carry four players with 260-or-more games of professional experience on its roster. The addition of the Thomas brothers brings the total number of players signed for the 04-05 campaign to 15.

Oklahoma City opens the 2004-05 season at home against the Colorado Eagles on October 22 at 7:35 p.m.

Note: Kahlil and Leo Thomas are the sixth set of siblings to don a Blazers sweater in franchise history. They join Todd and Ross Harris, Brad and Eric Preston, Hardy, Don and Barkley Sauter and Ryan and Reagan Rome.

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Central Hockey League Stories from September 3, 2004


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