You might say that Michael Thomas backed into becoming a defenseman.
“When I first started playing organized hockey at five and six I was the only one who could skate backwards and they put me on defense,” recalled the Ottawa Junior Senators defenseman.
Thomas, a native of Park Ridge, Illinois, has stayed in the back ever since and became accomplished enough to go from playing Prep School hockey in the United States to the highest level of Junior A hockey in the Central Canada Hockey League.
When he was recruited by the Nepean Raiders in 2016, Thomas was ready to make the leap.
“The players are faster, bigger and stronger,” he said about the CCHL. “I was able to adjust quickly.”
The 20-year-old also adjusted to life in a different country discovering that he and his Canadian teammates “have a lot in common. It was an easy transition.”
Playing for the Raiders last year, Thomas didn’t play a game in the playoffs because of an injury, and he was headed to an early end to his season this winter when he was traded to the Junior Senators in December 2017. He went from a team out of the playoffs to the eventual Yzerman Division champions and Bogart Cup contenders.
Thomas was made to feel welcomed by the Junior Senators from the start.
“They (coaches) told me they liked the way I skated and used my stick on defense and puck skills,” he remarked.
It didn’t take Thomas long to see the difference between playing for a championship team and one that was playing out the season.
“They expect to win here,” he explained. “It’s so much fun to be a part of a team of talented players. Playing with skilled players has really helped make me better.”
The 5-10, 175-pound Thomas has flourished with the Junior Senators. Aside from his defensive skills, he has been able to showcase his skating and passing skills. He’s scored 17 points in the 22 games he’s played with the club on two goals and 15 assists.
“I try and move the puck up ice and get it to our forwards,” he said explaining his role with the Junior Senators.
Thomas is more than ready for the long grind of the CCHL playoffs (three, best-of-seven series) because it’s his first tip to the post-season.
“It’s my first time in the playoffs, it’s exciting,” he said. “I can’t wait to get started.
The ultimate goal for Ottawa is the Bogart Cup. The Junior Senators have been to the Bogart Cup finals the last two years losing to the Carleton Place Canadians both years. They would like to reverse their fortunes this year.
The Canadians and Junior Senators appear headed on a collision course again. Carleton Place won the Larry Robinson Division with 110 points and Ottawa won the Yzerman with 99 points (second best point total in the league).
When the playoff run finally ends for the Junior Senators—and after the Fred Page Cup—the next goal for Thomas is playing Division I college hockey.
