New Pete Akil Thomas Just Made One Of The Kindest Gestures A Hockey Player Has Ever Made

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The Peterborough Petes not only landed a star player in Akil Thomas but also a kind, compassionate person.

The World Juniors hero—he who scored the winning goal in the Gold winning game over Russia—has immediately ingratiated himself in the Peterborough community and beyond for his heartwarming gesture in reaching out to the family of the late Steve Montador (he died in 2015 at the age of 35) to ask if he could wear No. 44, the jersey number Akil has been wearing throughout his hockey career—and the number Montador wore when he was a Pete.

Akil Thomas making the call to Montador family with Petes GM Mike Oke

In a tweet that has gone viral put out by the Peterborough Petes, here is what Steve’s brother, Chris, had to say when Akil called him after practice to ask permission to wear No. 44…

“We’re honoured and humbled young man for you to wear that number,” Chris said to Akil in the phone call. “Very respectful to do this.”

Longtime Petes fan Jason Stabler had this to say on Twitter about Akil’s gesture…

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Peterborough Petes Making Run At Memorial Cup, Land Star Player Akil Thomas

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The Peterborough Petes, one of the top teams this season in the OHL and nationally ranked in Canada, just got even stronger in their run to the Memorial Cup.

Peterborough Petes General Manager Michael Oke announced Thursday that the team has acquired centre Akil Thomas from the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for forward Cameron Butler and OHL Priority Selection Picks. Thomas, a 2000-born centre, was selected in the second round—51st overall by the LA Kings in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft—and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the club in March 2019.

Thomas is the World Juniors hero, scoring the game winning goal in the Gold medal game against Russia in their 4-3 victory…

Thomas waived his no-trade clause on Thursday to complete the deal.

“We’re really excited to be adding a player of Akil’s calibre—he’s a player with a high level of skill that plays a 200-foot game,” says Oke. “He is capable of playing in all situations, has played in big games, and comes through in big moments. He’ll be heavily counted on in Peterborough as we move forward in the second half and into the postseason.”

The Petes are currently the No. 10 ranked team in Canada, and will only be stronger with the addition of Thomas…

In 27 games so far this season for the Ice Dogs, Thomas has 15 goals and 29 assists.

Thomas will not dress for Peterborough’s game against Owen Sound on Thursday night, but is expected to be in the lineup on Saturday when the Petes host the Ottawa 67’s.

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