Steve Thomas
Born in England on July 15, 1963, Steve Thomas grew up in Markham, ON watching a local junior hockey team that included future NHLers Mike Palmateer, Steve Vickers and Dennis Maruk. Thomas would go on to star for the Markham Waxers Jr. A franchise – ahead of 20 seasons in the NHL. Thomas played one season in blue and white for the Waxers, but it was a massive and memorable one. Thomas and fellow future NHLer – and OJHL Hall of Famer – Adam Oates teamed up on a legendary line in Markham during the 1981-82 campaign. Oates led the then Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League with a league record 54 goals and 159 points. Thomas chipped in with 68 goals – the fourth highest total in league history – and 125 points. "I think I had about 68 goals that year and (Adam) gave me about 50 open netters," Thomas told ESPN in 2003. After two seasons with the Toronto Marlboros of the Ontario Hockey League, the undrafted Thomas signed as a free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs in May of 1984. He began his NHL career the following season. Thomas played 1,235 games in the NHL with the Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings. He scored 421 goals and assisted on 512. In his biggest season, Thomas had 87 points (37 goals/50 assists) for the Islanders in 1992-93. He scored 42 goals with the Isles the next season. On Feb. 20, 1999, the Leafs played their first game at the Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena.). Thomas scored the game-winning goal in overtime in a 3-2 Toronto win over the Montreal Canadiens. His coaching career also took root in the OJHL. Thomas was an assistant coach with the OJHL’s St. Michael’s Buzzers in 2007-08, ahead of five years as an assistant or development coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Louis Blues. Oates (10), Thomas (16) and Ron Wilson (20) had their numbers retired by the Waxers, who suspended operations in 2012. Steve Thomas and his son Christian Thomas were the first father-son combination to each score 50 goals in a single OHL season. Christian, who played 27 games in the NHL, has played in Europe since 2018.