Ava Thomas is one of the top women's hockey prospects in America. The dynamic forward was an underage leader for the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers this season and will have a lineup of NCAA programs recruiting her talents.
Ava Thomas is one of the top women's hockey prospects in America. The dynamic forward was an underage leader for the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers this season and will have a lineup of NCAA programs recruiting her talents.
It won't be long until Ava Thomas' name is discussed as one of the top young talents in hockey, because she's already there.
The 16-year-old scored 120 points in 74 games this season with the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 19U AAA team. Playing against older competition, Thomas still thrived, including at the USA Hockey national championships.
"Thomas was a game breaker at the 19U level this year as an underager," said Flyers' head coach Chris Baer of his budding star. "She is a dynamic forward, who can gain separation with her elite speed and deceptive acceleration. She possesses an accurate shot, excellent hockey-IQ, and high compete level."
At the national championship tournament she led Philadelphia in scoring en route to a finals loss to Shattuck St. Mary's. Her nine points in six games tied her for fifth in tournament scoring alongside Maggie Scannell, USA's leading scorer from the 2022 U-18 World Championships. Thomas' performance included a hat trick in a semifinals win over Bishop Kearney.
The 2006 born forward herself made USA's Under-18 Select team that played a summer series against Canada, and will almost certainly crack USA's U-18 roster this season.
Playing for her high school team, the Downingtown West Whippets, Thomas led her club to a Flyers Cup title this spring, scoring a remarkable 10 goals and adding three assists in a 13-8 championship game victory. She was named the Bobby Clarke Award winner as Flyers Cup MVP.
As the June 15 NCAA recruiting period approaches, Ava Thomas will be one of the most sought after 2006 born players in the nation.
Ava Thomas will be a player to watch both in the NCAA and internationally in the future.