How acquired: Selected with No. 20 pick in 2017 NHL Draft
Last season: London (OHL): 27 GP, 20-26-46; Hamilton (OHL): 22 GP, 4-25-29
Thomas was acquired by Hamilton in a trade with London on Jan. 8 and helped it win the Ontario Hockey League championship with 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) in 21 games and was the recipient of the Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as playoff most valuable player. The 19-year-old had six points (one goal, five assists) in seven games to help Canada win the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Compared to Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron, Thomas (6-foot, 188 pounds) missed development camp with an ankle injury he sustained against Sault Ste. Marie in the OHL championship but is expected to compete for a spot in September.
"I'm excited about Robert. What I like, what coaches like, is he's got a well-rounded game," coach Mike Yeo said. "Robert's a guy who's going to learn quickly. He's a very coachable kid, he's a smart player, plays well on both ends of the ice. Another right shot, but a guy that's got a lot of elements, a lot of high hockey intelligence to his game that could really give him a chance to come in and make our team."
Projected NHL arrival: This season