Ben Thomson (ice hockey, born 1993)

Ben Thomson (born January 16, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played with the Henderson Silver Knights in the American Hockey League (AHL). He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the fourth round, 96th overall, of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Thomson played junior hockey with the Kitchener Rangers and North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League.

Ben Thomson
Born (1993-01-16) January 16, 1993 (age 31)
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
team
Former teams
Free Agent
New Jersey Devils
NHL draft 96th overall, 2012
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2014–present

Playing career

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On May 23, 2014, Thomson was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils.[1] He made his NHL debut against the Philadelphia Flyers on April 4, 2017, and played two more games at the NHL level before being reassigned to the AHL.[2]

Thomson signed a one-year, two-way contract on July 26, 2017.[3] After attending the Devils training camp, Thomson was re-assigned to inaugural AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Devils, for the duration of the 2017–18 season. He recorded 5 goals and 13 points in 64 games, leading the team and setting a new AHL career high in penalty minutes with 119.

As a free agent from the Devils and approaching the 2018–19 season, Thomson agreed to a one-year AHL contract with the San Diego Gulls, affiliate to the Anaheim Ducks on September 6, 2018.[4] He played 53 games with the Gulls recording 4 goals and 13 points with 91 penalty minutes.

Having left the San Diego Gulls at the conclusion of his contract, Thomson continued in the AHL for the 2019–20 season, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, affiliate of the New York Islanders on October 5, 2019.[5]

On December 14, 2020, Thomson continued his professional career in agreeing to a one-year ECHL contract with the Orlando Solar Bears.[6] He featured in 10 games to begin the 2020–21 season, registering 2 assists, before returning to the Binghamton Devils organization on a professional tryout basis on February 1, 2021.[7] After scoring in Binghamton's season opening game, Thomson was signed to a one-year AHL contract with the Devils on February 12, 2021.[8] Thomson made 31 appearances with Binghamton in the shortened season posting 6 goals and 1 assist.

As a free agent, Thomson continued his career in the AHL, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Henderson Silver Knights, the primary affiliate to the Vegas Golden Knights, on August 16, 2021.[9]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Kitchener Rangers OHL 46 6 6 12 30 11 0 1 1 6
2010–11 Kitchener Rangers OHL 68 6 13 19 107 7 0 1 1 0
2011–12 Kitchener Rangers OHL 67 11 31 42 137 16 5 5 10 36
2012–13 Kitchener Rangers OHL 67 15 17 32 119 10 1 2 3 18
2013–14 Kitchener Rangers OHL 12 3 3 6 34
2013–14 North Bay Battalion OHL 43 24 15 39 56 22 5 9 14 64
2014–15 Albany Devils AHL 67 8 8 16 97
2015–16 Albany Devils AHL 73 6 12 18 109 9 2 0 2 10
2016–17 Albany Devils AHL 72 6 4 10 90 4 1 0 1 6
2016–17 New Jersey Devils NHL 3 0 0 0 4
2017–18 Binghamton Devils AHL 64 5 8 13 119
2018–19 San Diego Gulls AHL 53 4 9 13 91
2019–20 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 5 0 1 1 7
2019–20 Worcester Railers ECHL 23 5 10 15 23
2020–21 Orlando Solar Bears ECHL 10 0 2 2 23
2020–21 Binghamton Devils AHL 31 6 1 7 45
2021–22 Henderson Silver Knights AHL 15 2 1 3 18
NHL totals 3 0 0 0 4

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2010 Canada Ontario U17   6 1 1 2 2
Junior totals 6 1 1 2 2

References

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  1. ^ "Devils sign prospects Johnson, Thomson". New Jersey Devils. May 23, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  2. ^ Pickford, Mike (April 13, 2017). "Orangeville native propelled into National Hockey League". Orangeville Citizen. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  3. ^ "Devils sign forward Ben Thomson to a one-year, two-way contract". NHL.com. July 26, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  4. ^ "Gulls sign Ben Thomson to one-year contract". San Diego Gulls. September 6, 2018. Archived from the original on September 7, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2018.
  5. ^ "Ben Thomson agrees to AHL deal". Bridgeport Sound Tigers. October 5, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  6. ^ "Solar Bears sign veteran forward Ben Thomson". Orlando Solar Bears. December 14, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  7. ^ "Ben Thomson returns to Devils on PTO". Binghamton Devils. February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  8. ^ "Devils lock in Thomson with AHL deal". Binghamton Devils. February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  9. ^ "Silver Knights ink forward Ben Thomson". American Hockey League. August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
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