Ben Thomas

Ben Thomas (born May 28, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently an unrestricted free agent who most recently played with HK Poprad in the Slovak Extraliga (Slovak).

Playing career Thomas was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning, 119th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, while playing major junior hockey with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Following the conclusion of his final junior season, finishing second amongst defenseman in scoring on the Vancouver Giants, Thomas was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 23, 2016. Thomas immediately joined AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, and made his professional debut to end the 2015–16 season, recording 4 points in 8 regular season games.

After the expiration of his entry-level contract, he re-signed with Tampa Bay on a one-year, two-way contract on October 12, 2020.

On April 4, 2021, Thomas skated in his first career NHL game against the Detroit Red Wings at Amalie Arena.

As a free agent from the Lightning after six seasons within the organization, Thomas opted to pursue a career abroad, agreeing to a one-year contract with Swedish top flight club, Leksands IF of the SHL, on August 25, 2021. In the 2021–22 season, Thomas made 32 appearances with Leksands however was unable to make an impact in recording just 3 points. On February 10, 2022, he transferred mid-season to fellow SHL club, Växjö Lakers, for the remainder of the campaign.

Continuing his European career, Thomas signed as a free agent to a one-year contract with Finnish club, Tappara of the Liiga, on August 18, 2022. In the following 2022–23 season, Thomas was a fixture on the blueline with Tappara, appearing in 50 regular season games and contributing with 4 goals and 12 points. He added 5 points through 14 playoff games, helping Tappara claim their second consecutive Liiga title.

Leaving Tappara at the conclusion of his contract, Thomas agreed to a one-year contract with German club, Iserlohn Roosters of the DEL, on June 23, 2023.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2012–13 Calgary Mustangs AJHL 12 1 0 1 4 — — — — — 2012–13 Calgary Canucks AJHL 32 4 3 7 33 — — — — — 2012–13 Calgary Hitmen WHL — — — — — 1 0 0 0 0 2013–14 Calgary Hitmen WHL 72 7 24 31 39 6 1 5 6 13 2014–15 Calgary Hitmen WHL 60 7 24 31 28 17 0 4 4 2 2015–16 Calgary Hitmen WHL 14 0 3 3 10 — — — — — 2015–16 Vancouver Giants WHL 60 8 17 25 40 — — — — — 2015–16 Syracuse Crunch AHL 8 1 3 4 0 — — — — — 2016–17 Syracuse Crunch AHL 71 3 18 21 30 22 5 8 13 12 2017–18 Syracuse Crunch AHL 72 4 18 22 58 3 0 0 0 2 2018–19 Syracuse Crunch AHL 67 2 14 16 24 4 0 0 0 2 2019–20 Syracuse Crunch AHL 56 3 13 16 22 — — — — — 2020–21 Syracuse Crunch AHL 16 1 8 9 10 — — — — — 2020–21 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 5 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 2021–22 Leksands IF SHL 32 2 1 3 16 — — — — — 2021–22 Växjö Lakers SHL 15 2 1 3 6 2 0 0 0 2 2022–23 Tappara Liiga 50 4 8 12 53 14 1 4 5 31 2023–24 Iserlohn Roosters DEL 45 2 11 13 27 — — — — — NHL totals 5 0 0 0 0 — — — — — SHL totals 47 4 2 6 22 2 0 0 0 2

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2014 Canada U18 7 0 1 1 2 Junior totals 7 0 1 1 2