When the season began, most scouts ranked Thomas ahead of Travis Sanheim, his defensive partner for the Calgary Hitmen. But as the season progressed, Sanheim usurped Thomas in terms of draft status and their roles on the Hitmen and the Canadian team at the under-18s.
Thomas' first pass is usually on the mark, he's a great skater and he has an intriguing offensive bent to his game. But scouts are divided on what kind of player he's capable of being at the next level. Few see him as a defenseman who can play in the top four in the NHL. "There is no doubt in my mind he can fill the five spot," said a scout. "But his tools and his skating ability should elevate him above the standard of the five hole. He often allows himself to play a much more reserved, muss less defined game than his tools would suggest. He does show flashes and hints there is more to him, but often times he doesn't get enough from his tools."
WJC: U18 WJC Quarterfinal Finland vs Sweden game thread.
