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THOMAS IS HAVING FUN
PLAYING HOCKEY Being 35-years of age, Steve Thomas might be considered one of those players fitting that adage. But judging by the performance put forth by the former Markham resident this season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he seems to have found the fountain of youth. Through 51 games, Thomas has amassed a team-leading 20 goals and 22 assists. He's also the second-leading scorer this season on a revitalized Maple Leafs team that is presently occupying first place in the Northeast Division.
"I feel great. I feel like I've got the same legs that I had 10-years ago," Thomas said after the club took to the ice in a recent practice session at their future Air Canada Centre home. In explaining his rejuvenation, the 14-year-NHL veteran insists he has not consumed any special elixir. He reveals a number of events have come together nicely which enable him to be a vital cog in the Maple Leafs surge. Suiting up with a team that plays a game tailored to his preference has definitely been beneficial. Thomas felt like he was let out of prison after toiling the last three years with a defensive-minded New Jersey Devils team. Under the system employed by new Maple Leafs Head Coach Pat Quinn, Thomas was given the green light to utilize his offensive skills more liberally. "I like the transition game and to play with this team here that can score goals. In New Jersey there wasn't one guy when I was there that scored 30 goals in a season. I was instilled with a lot of confidence and I was given the ability to be creative." Thomas also acknowledges much of what he's accomplished was made possible by having good linemates to work with. The left winger feels fortunate to have a centreman like Mats Sundin feed him the puck. Thomas notes he has not had a centreman as good as Sundin to work with since playing on a line with Pierre Turgeon as a member of the New York Islanders. In the 1993-94 campaign with the Islanders, Thomas registered a career-high 42 goals. "I'm playing with a pretty darn good centreman. He's a world class player," Thomas said of the Maple Leafs captain. "He passes the puck well, he sees the ice well and he's a good leader." In addition to being associated with good players, the 5-foot-11-inch, 185-pound Thomas touched wood and said lady luck has been on his side on terms of dodgin any serious injuries. "My main goal this year was not to change my game too much and to try and stay consistent every night, work hard on my game and stay healty." "The last couple of years I experienced some bad luck and fluky injuries. Last year I missed 12 games when I sprained my ankle in practice after skating behind the net," Thomas recalled. Playing in what might be considered the hockey capital of North America where players are put under a microscope by the fans and media, Thomas feels the added pressure has elevated his performance. He remains thankful that the Maple Leafs still had confidence in his abilities. "Being in Toronto and going from one building (Maple Leaf Gardens) to another (Air Canada Centre), I think that it was a great opportunity to come back. I'm just glad the Maple Leafs had faith in me."
"I knew that if I had a chance to play here at home I wanted to make things happen for myself. You want to work harder. The Toronto fans are extremely knowledgeable of the game. I knew that I had my family and my wife's family here watching and I didn't want to let them down." Playing in the first year of a two-year plus an option contract, Thomas confesses he's been modestly surprised by the club's early season overachievement. However the club's January extended road trip, which saw them go 4-1-1, has Thomas beaming with guarded optimism. "I went into camp thinking that if we work hard and do what it takes to win we could get in the playoffs. We're just trying to get better every night." "This team can score and has the speed and transition. I can't see us being held back. We might not win the Stanley Cup this year. But we're definitely a better bunch of players." As for what his playing future holds, Thomas hopes to fulfill his two-year plus an option contract with the team and make an assessment afterwards. "I'm going to spend two to three years here and compete every night. When it's over after the contract I'll look back and reflect and make a decision then. I can't see myself saying I'll retire now. I feel as good now as I did 10 years ago." "Right now though, I'm having the best time of my life."
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