Capitals sign Patrick Thomas to a three-year entry-level contract

Washington Capitals senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced Wednesday that the club has signed forward Patrick Thomas to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning in the 2025-26 season.

Thomas was selected by the Capitals in the fourth round, No. 104 overall, of the 2023 NHL Draft. Thomas’ contract will carry an average annual value of $878,333 at the NHL level and $82,500 in the American Hockey League (AHL).

The Oakville, Ontario native spent the 2024-25 season with the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he captained the Bulldogs. Thomas notched 27 goals and 77 assists for a career high 104 points in 66 games. Thomas ranked second on the Bulldogs in points and first in assists; he trailed Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Lardis, who notched 71 goals and 117 points. Thomas ranked first among all OHL skaters in assists and sixth in points.

Thomas has tallied one goal and six assists for seven points in the OHL Playoffs as he helped the Bulldogs advance to the second round of the OHL Playoffs, where they will face off against the Oshawa Generals.

During the 2023-24 season, Thomas notched 21 goals and 66 points, ranking second among Bulldogs’ skaters in points and assists. During his rookie campaign in 2021-22, he was part of the Hamilton Bulldogs squad that won the OHL championship and featured NHLers Mason McTavish and Arber Xhekaj. Thomas appeared in five Memorial Cup games, losing in the final, adding two assists. Thomas led Bulldog rookies with 27 points that season.

Throughout his OHL career, Thomas has racked up 71 goals and 182 assists for 253 points in 253 games.