Washington Capitals prospect Patrick Thomas had a memorable season debut for the ECHL’s South Carolina Stingrays on Friday night.
The 22-year-old forward recorded two points (1g, 1a) in South Carolina’s come-from-behind 4-3 win over the Florida Everblades. His most notable moment came with 4:24 remaining in the second period, when he scored an unbelievable between-the-legs deflection goal from near the goal line to tie the game 3-3.
Patrick Thomas scores highlight-reel between-the-legs deflection goal
After feeding the puck back to the point, Thomas wrapped around the net and chopped a purposefully wide shot from defender Aidan Hreschuk through his own legs and past Florida goaltender Cam Johnson’s near side.
The highlight-reel marker came after Thomas had already made a mark earlier in the game, springing Alex Gaffney for a breakaway goal with 7:57 remaining in the first period. The 2023 fourth-round pick made the perfect outlet pass from South Carolina’s own zone.
The goal tied the game 1-1 after Cole Moberg had scored to put Florida in front earlier in the first frame.
Patrick Thomas assists on Alex Gaffney breakaway goal
Thomas had previously been on Washington’s non-roster injured list before being activated ahead of Friday night’s game. He was on this past fall’s rookie camp and training camp rosters, but only skated in a non-contact jersey due to an upper-body injury he suffered last season.
The Capitals signed Thomas to a three-year, entry-level contract in April 2025, which kicked in at the start of last season. He spent the 2025-26 campaign split between the Stingrays and the AHL’s Hershey Bears. While with Hershey for seven games, he recorded three points (1g, 2a) and notched 16 points (3g, 13a) in 32 ECHL games for South Carolina.
Thomas played his junior hockey in the OHL with the Hamilton/Brantford Bulldogs. He was the club’s captain during his final junior season (2024-25), recording 104 points (27g, 77a) in 66 games and finishing the year sixth in the league in scoring and first in assists.
