Kings sign Akil Thomas to two-year contract extension
The Los Angeles Kings announced Thursday that they have signed forward Akil Thomas to a two-year contract extension.
The contract will go through the 2025-26 season and carry an average annual value of $775,000.
Thomas split the 2023-24 season between the Kings and Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League. After making his NHL debut on April 1, the 24-year-old recorded four points (three goals, one assist) in seven games with the Kings. That included three goals in a four-game span.
Thomas became the fifth player in franchise history, and first since Brian Boyle in 2008, to score at least three goals in their first five games.
He tallied his first NHL goal in his second game against the San Jose Sharks on April 4.
AKIL THOMAS!!! FIRST NHL GOAL!! 👑
📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/DWiaoRim2n
The Toronto, Ontario native set career-highs in goals, assists and points for the Reign (AHL) last season. In 64 games, Thomas racked up 46 points (22 goals, 24 assists). He was one of only three skaters on the club to record 20 goals. He finished second in the AHL with nine game-winning goals and was named AHL Player of the Week in March.
In eight Calder Cup playoff games, Thomas scored two goals and finished with five points as the Reign knocked off the Abbotsford Canucks and Bakersfield Condors before being swept by the Coachella Valley Firebirds (Seattle Kraken affiliate) in the Pacific Division Finals.
Thomas has 93 points (46 goals, 47 assists) in 157 AHL games with the Reign. Prior to reaching the AHL, he served as captain and spent four seasons with the Niagara IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League.
He won a gold medal with Canada at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship and also played in two IIHF U18 Men’s World Championships.
Thomas was originally drafted by the Kings in the second round (No.51) of the 2018 NHL Draft.