The Washington Capitals announced they signed 2023 fourth-round draft selection Patrick Thomas to a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday afternoon.
Thomas, 20, has played the last four seasons in the OHL with the Brantford/Hamilton Bulldogs and is the team’s captain this year. The prospect forward’s contract will begin next season, and he will earn $878,333 at the NHL level and $82,500 in the AHL.
Thomas had the best season of his junior career with the Bulldogs during the 2024-25 campaign, recording 104 points (27g, 77a) in 66 games. He finished the year sixth in the OHL in scoring and first in assists (77), three ahead of fellow Capitals prospect Ilya Protas (74).
Thomas’s Bulldogs team won their first-round playoff series against the North Bay Battalion in five games, with Thomas posting seven points (1g, 6a). The Bulldogs start their second-round series against the Oshawa Generals on Thursday night.
The Oakville, Ontario native attended the past two Capitals development camps and is the fourth member of the Caps’ 2023 draft class to sign their entry-level deal. He follows first-round pick Ryan Leonard, second-round pick Andrew Cristall, and fifth-round pick Cam Allen.
Thomas spent some time with the AHL’s Hershey Bears on a tryout agreement last spring. He is likely to do the same this year once his postseason with the Bulldogs ends.
Here’s the full press release from the Capitals:
Capitals Sign Patrick Thomas
2023 fourth-round pick led OHL in assists this season
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have signed forward Patrick Thomas to a three-year entry-level contract beginning next season, senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today. Thomas’ contract will carry an average annual value of $878,333 at the NHL level and $82,500 in AHL.
The Capitals selected Thomas, 20, in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.
Thomas recorded a career-high 104 points (27g, 77a) in 66 games with the Brantford Bulldogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this season. The 6’0”, 178-pound forward finished the regular season as the OHL’s assists leader and ranked sixth in the OHL in points. Thomas, Brantford’s captain, registered seven points (1g, 6a) in five games during the team’s first round playoff series to help the Bulldogs advance to the second round of the OHL Playoffs.
The Oakville, Ontario native registered 66 points (21g, 45a) in 57 games with Brantford last season, ranking second on the Bulldogs in points, tied for second in power-play goals (8), third in assists and power-play assists (13) and fifth in goals. In addition, Thomas tallied seven points (1g, 6a) in six playoff contests.
During the 2022-23 season, Thomas recorded 56 points (17g, 39a) in 66 games with the Bulldogs. Thomas led the team in assists and points and tied for third in plus-minus (+10). Thomas also recorded a team-high six assists in six playoff games. In 2021-22, Thomas led Bulldog rookies with 27 points (6g, 21a) in 64 games and appeared in all 19 of the team’s playoff contests, recording eight assists en route to winning the OHL championship.
In 253 career OHL games with Brantford, Thomas has recorded 253 points (71g, 182a).
