December 7, 2011

Mike Thomas is well on his way to a career in professional hockey, and he credits his time as a Saint John Sea Dog as a major factor in his development.

Thomas, who spent five years with the Dogs, is a rookie all over again with the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League. He’s already scored his first pro goal, to go along with three assists and nine penalty minutes in 17 games.

“I’m really enjoying going to the rink every day and knowing it’s a job. You still have fun doing it but the focus in pro hockey is on a little bit different level than the junior aspect just because it’s older guys and a little bit higher level,” Thomas says.

Thomas was drafted as a 15-year-old out of the Fredericton Canadiens midget AAA program. He made his debut at 16 as a role player and part-time penalty killer, and evolved into a well-rounded character player.

In his five seasons – including two as captain – Thomas developed a reputation as a hard-nosed two-way player. He left with the franchise records for games played (288) and penalty minutes (470) and the unofficial record for hardest worker in the weight room. The fan favourite known as “Thommer” says the pro-like atmosphere around the Sea Dogs helped prepare him for the next level.

“I owe the Sea Dogs everything for where I am. Being there five years and having the chance to win really gave me all these experiences and I’m just bringing them along with me on my way,” he says. “I knew what to expect (at the AHL level) because a lot of the practices are similar and kind of built the same way and the preparation for the game we had in Saint John is a lot of the same types of things. You’re treated on a pro level in Saint John I found and it really does prepare you for what to expect.”

In his final season Thomas set career highs with 14 goals, 24 points and a plus-16 rating. He also won the team’s community service award for his countless hours spending time with sick and underprivileged children, visiting local schools for the Get FANatical About Math program, and his willingness to always sign autographs and speak with fans. He capped his junior career by hoisting the Memorial Cup on national TV and was soon in high demand by pro teams and nearly every university hockey program in Canada.

“We try to instil discipline and hard work habits here in Saint John that will serve our players well in the future, whether in hockey or in the academic or business arena,” says Mike Kelly, associate coach and director of hockey operations for the Dogs. “Mike is an outstanding young man, and has been an outstanding representative of what the Sea Dogs organization is all about. We’re proud to see him continuing his hockey career, and even more proud of what an impressive young man he’s become.”

Mike’s father Shane is happy his son can pursue his pro hockey dreams, but he also thinks about more than just the hockey when he reflects on the Saint John experience.

“The first thing that comes to mind isn’t the hockey. The hockey is great, but Mike left home at 16 years of age, a precarious time to let your young fellow leave home and have other (billet) parents take care of him,” says Shane, a high school principal who places a strong emphasis on education. “We were fortunate that for five years they prioritized education for Michael. He went through high school and graduated when he was supposed to. His marks were good, it seemed to be a priority for the organization, he had an opportunity to take university courses and anything he needed academically was taken care of.”

Shane also appreciated the “amazing relationship” Mike had with his billet parents, Kevin and Sandy Munroe.

“It’s a lifelong relationship established through the world of hockey and the Sea Dogs organization,” he says. “The families we used to hang around with would say the same about their billet families to me. From education to security for your child, the Sea Dogs looked after that. I’d boast and tell that to anybody under the sun. It’s not always just about hockey.”

Mike says he’s “really thankful” for his second family, and talks to them almost every week on Skype. And while school is on hold for now, he appreciates the strong foundation he built, earning university credit through the University of New Brunswick Saint John.

“I plan on taking courses in my future no matter what. I got my post-secondary education started in Saint John and I’m going to carry that on eventually,” he says.

For now the focus is on hockey, working hard to get better every day, the same approach he took as a Sea Dog.

“The dream was always there to become pro. I really wanted to make the next level and now that I’m here I just want to keep pushing myself again and keep pushing my way to the next level,” he says. “Trying to improve every year, every practice, going to practice to work hard and get something out of every day, whether it’s a workout or on the ice trying to progress as a player. I think Saint John was really good at that, (the organization) progresses players and makes them into better people.”