Photo: Brantford Bulldogs

On day two of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, the Capitals first selected forward Andrew Cristall in the second round, 40th overall. The Capitals then selected center Patrick Thomas in the fourth round (104th overall).

Thomas appeared in 66 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs (OHL) in 2022-23, where he recorded 56 points (17g, 39a). The 6’0”, 172-pound left-handed forward led Hamilton in points and assists and ranked fifth in goals.

Thomas is a natural C, but switched to wing and led team in scoring in ’22-23, playing for ex-NHL Dman Jay McKee. Thomas not present in Nashville for draft, we will hopefully see him at development camp this weekend/next week.

— Mike Vogel (@VogsCaps) June 29, 2023

Thomas is a second-year draft eligible player. He was linemate of Nick Lardis (Chicago’s 3rd-rounder, No. 67 overall) at Hamilton, on one of OHL’s hottest lines in 2nd half of ’22-23.

Thomas was selected in the third round (57th overall) by the Bulldogs in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. He skated in 33 regular season games with the Hamilton Huskies (Alliance Hockey) in 2019-20, collecting 56 points (23 goals, 33 assists).

His 1.70 points-per-game ranked third in the league and first on his team. He also registered 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) in 15 playoff games. Thomas served as co-captain with the Huskies during the 2019-20 season.

In addition to the 8th, 40th pick and the 104th pick, the Capitals hold the 136th pick (fifth round) and 200th overall pick (seventh round) in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.

Note: Due to the impending renovations and long-term closure of FirstOntario Centre, the Hamilton Bulldogs announced the team’s relocation to Brantford beginning in the 2023-24 season.

By Jon Sorensen

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