QUICK HITS: JUNE 9, 2018
1) In our continuing series of mini-profiles of potential selection candidates with the 14th or 19th overall selection of the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft, we'll look today at Akil Thomas.
A fine skater who plays a balanced all-around game, Akil Thomas never went more than two consecutive games this season without registering at least point. He sees the ice well and is an adept passer, as his 59 assists this season attest. In addition to posting 81 points in 68 regular season games and 11 points in 10 playoff games for the Niagara IceDogs (OHL), Thomas played in all game situations and showed himself to be an adept penalty killer. He had a solid playoff run, chipping in 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 10 games.
Thomas is undersized and narrow framed (currently listed at 5-foot-11 and 169 pounds). There are questions about how much he can fill out and whether he's quite skilled enough to overcome potential physical mismatches. However, Thomas is still considered a viable pick in the latter half in the first round and a potential steal if he slips to the second round.
2) 2018 NHL Draft prospect Barrett Hayton's father, Brian, is a former LA Kings prospect and head coach of the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers. During Brian's junior playing days with the Memorial Cup winning Guelph Platters, he was a teammate of highly touted prospect Kerry Huffman (subsequently a two-stint defensemen with the Flyers and, nowadays, the assistant coach of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms).
3) Today in Flyers History: On June 9, 1982, the Flyers traded goaltender Pete Peeters to the Boston Bruins in exchange for defenseman Brad McCrimmon.
4) June 9 Flyers Alumni birthdays: John Paddock (1954), Russ Romaniuk (1970).
************
IDES OF MARSH
Trek Bicycles has signed on as the official bike sponsor of the 2018 Toyota Flyers Charity Classic. The captain of the Ides of Marsh team, Brad Marsh, will be giving away a free brand new Trek FX2 bike to a member of the team via a random drawing. All Ides of Marsh team members are automatically eligible to win. In total, there will be five prizes given away, including Flyers tickets, jerseys and memorabilia.
Here is how it works: Everyone who is currently registered for the Ides of Marsh will be entered into the drawing. Likewise, everyone who registers prior to July 6 will also be registered in the drawing, and anyone who refers new registrants will receive an additional per-person entry for the prizes with no limit. Deadline for entries is July 6 at midnight. Another incentive: When registering as an Ides of Marsh member, use promo code IDESOFMARSH and you will receive a $10 discount off of your registration fee. To register, click here.