Post by dogcatcher on Sept 18, 2007 6:14:00 GMT -4
Saint John's own Thomas the Tank Engine
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday September 18th, 2007
Appeared on page B10
Harbour Station sits on the grounds that was once home to a true Saint John landmark, Union Station.
It still has one train pass through quite regularly, though.
You've heard of Thomas The Tank Engine?
The Saint John Sea Dogs have their own version.
He's Mike Thomas and he's as close to a runaway train as the franchise has seen, now in its third year of existence.
He played sparingly as a 16-year-old last season when fans caught glimpses of his love for the physical side of the game. He was more The Little Train That Could.
But this year, with plenty of added muscle thanks to work with a personal trainer over the summer, he's turned into a bit of a freight train.
Yes, fans are in for a treat.
Opponents? Not so much.
When you think of toughness and the Sea Dogs, Brett Gallant automatically surfaces but the opposition is likely more fearful of Thomas, the former Fredericton midget AAA standout.
Most players see Gallant coming. He's a top-notch scrapper who rarely loses but in keeping with hockey's code of honour, most times he only fights players equipped to do the same.
Thomas? He's not picky. If you're wearing the opposing colours and you're anywhere near the puck, keep your head up. He doesn't just rub players out along the boards, either. He punishes them.
"You don't want a boring game so right from the start if you can throw a lot of hits, it sets the tone for the rest of the game," he said.
"I like to hit and play hard and hopefully get a few points along the way. If I play my game, I can open up ice for my teammates."
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu has been a fan of Thomas since he first saw him hit the ice.
"Mike came into camp in great shape, maybe the best shape of all the players and I think he's going to benefit from that," Beaulieu said "We have to bring his skill level up but we're working with him in practice on that.
"He's like a bull in a china shop and we encourage the energy," said the coach. "It's just a matter of managing the energy."
Since his first year of peewee - when bodychecking is introduced in minor hockey - the 17-year-old has been a wrecking ball.
"I've gotten better over the years at controlling myself," said Thomas. "That's not really a problem."
Thomas has been pegged in a penalty killing role and will likely be used to light a fire under his teammates if things quiet down at all. He's full of energy and loves a good collision.
"Mike's a hitter, and when he's on the ice, the other team knows it," said Beaulieu. "His game is not to dangle guys, but rather to play well defensively and be physical."
After following an off-ice conditioning program over the summer to build leg strength for explosiveness, Thomas has transformed into a bona fide force, standing a shade over six feet and tipping the scales at 192 pounds.
"This year will hopefully be different," he said. "Hopefully I'll be put in different situations and see how it goes."
His play this season will also go a long way in determining his future in the game.
A solid campaign could lead to him hearing his name at the National Hockey League draft in June but if that doesn't pan out, the Grade 12 student at Saint John High School has his sights set on university.
"The main thing you want to get out of hockey is an education," he said. "Of course that's a dream any hockey player has, to be drafted. I'll just keep working hard and see what happens."
In the meantime, it's all aboard the Thomas Express.
Next stop: The Sea Dogs' home opener on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
PETER MCGUIRE
GAME ON
Published Tuesday September 18th, 2007
Appeared on page B10
Harbour Station sits on the grounds that was once home to a true Saint John landmark, Union Station.
It still has one train pass through quite regularly, though.
You've heard of Thomas The Tank Engine?
The Saint John Sea Dogs have their own version.
He's Mike Thomas and he's as close to a runaway train as the franchise has seen, now in its third year of existence.
He played sparingly as a 16-year-old last season when fans caught glimpses of his love for the physical side of the game. He was more The Little Train That Could.
But this year, with plenty of added muscle thanks to work with a personal trainer over the summer, he's turned into a bit of a freight train.
Yes, fans are in for a treat.
Opponents? Not so much.
When you think of toughness and the Sea Dogs, Brett Gallant automatically surfaces but the opposition is likely more fearful of Thomas, the former Fredericton midget AAA standout.
Most players see Gallant coming. He's a top-notch scrapper who rarely loses but in keeping with hockey's code of honour, most times he only fights players equipped to do the same.
Thomas? He's not picky. If you're wearing the opposing colours and you're anywhere near the puck, keep your head up. He doesn't just rub players out along the boards, either. He punishes them.
"You don't want a boring game so right from the start if you can throw a lot of hits, it sets the tone for the rest of the game," he said.
"I like to hit and play hard and hopefully get a few points along the way. If I play my game, I can open up ice for my teammates."
Sea Dogs head coach and general manager Jacques Beaulieu has been a fan of Thomas since he first saw him hit the ice.
"Mike came into camp in great shape, maybe the best shape of all the players and I think he's going to benefit from that," Beaulieu said "We have to bring his skill level up but we're working with him in practice on that.
"He's like a bull in a china shop and we encourage the energy," said the coach. "It's just a matter of managing the energy."
Since his first year of peewee - when bodychecking is introduced in minor hockey - the 17-year-old has been a wrecking ball.
"I've gotten better over the years at controlling myself," said Thomas. "That's not really a problem."
Thomas has been pegged in a penalty killing role and will likely be used to light a fire under his teammates if things quiet down at all. He's full of energy and loves a good collision.
"Mike's a hitter, and when he's on the ice, the other team knows it," said Beaulieu. "His game is not to dangle guys, but rather to play well defensively and be physical."
After following an off-ice conditioning program over the summer to build leg strength for explosiveness, Thomas has transformed into a bona fide force, standing a shade over six feet and tipping the scales at 192 pounds.
"This year will hopefully be different," he said. "Hopefully I'll be put in different situations and see how it goes."
His play this season will also go a long way in determining his future in the game.
A solid campaign could lead to him hearing his name at the National Hockey League draft in June but if that doesn't pan out, the Grade 12 student at Saint John High School has his sights set on university.
"The main thing you want to get out of hockey is an education," he said. "Of course that's a dream any hockey player has, to be drafted. I'll just keep working hard and see what happens."
In the meantime, it's all aboard the Thomas Express.
Next stop: The Sea Dogs' home opener on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles.
