Rigamarole # 5 - Steve Thomas

Virtually every kid who grows up in Canada has the dream of suiting up for a team in the National Hockey League. For many, this is a dream that never is met. For others, it seems they are groomed since their minor hockey days and grow up in the fanfare of being a highly touted prospect assured of making the league. But let’s not make that mistake; it doesn’t happen for many. Making the NHL is not easy and nobody knows it better than Steve Thomas.

After a successful junior career with the Toronto Marlboros, shockingly Thomas was not drafted by an NHL team. Instead he joined the Toronto Maple Leafs as a walk on free agent and made the team in his first training camp. Now at age 42, Thomas faces the same situation he did some 21 years ago. Despite some wildly impressive credentials, this time with National Hockey League success on his track record, he still has to prove he can get it done.

Over his career, Thomas has been successful everywhere he has played. Along with his instinctive scoring touch, he has possessed excellent leadership abilities. In 2002, Thomas was a major contributor to the Mighty Ducks’ magical run to game 7 of the Cup finals before inevitably losing that deciding game. That may very well be the reason Thomas has kept himself in shape. Despite an arguably hall of fame career, the one empty space on Thomas’ resume is never having won a cup.

Ever since Mats Sundin has been a member of the Leafs, it seems there is always talk that he has never had a solid winger to play with. Well Sundin had some of his best years as a Leaf when Thomas played alongside him in the late ‘90s. Granted, Thomas had a few less miles under his belt at the time, he has yet to show a downturn in his production. If he can score 20 goals, great! But, it’s not only the offense he brings, it’s the leadership and the desire to win that never goes stale on a team. I think he has shown he is worth another shot. We will see if the Mighty Quinn sees it our way. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.