Nebraska-Omaha forward Bill Thomas has signed an entry level NHL contract with the Phoenix Coyotes, General Manager Michael Barnett announced today. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Thomas will forego his final two years of eligibility and report to Phoenix immediately.
Thomas recently completed his sophomore season with the Mavericks where he was named to the CCHA First Team. He led UNO with a single season record 27 goals and was second on the team with 50 points while helping the Mavericks to their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
In 2004-2005, Thomas was named the CCHA’s Rookie of the Year after he led all freshmen in scoring, tallying 19-26-45. He leaves UNO as the fifth-most prolific scoring forward in school history after netting 95 points on 46 goals and 49 assists in 80 career games.
“Bill is ready to play at the next level,” UNO head coach Mike Kemp said. “We are thrilled at the opportunity he is faced with. He’s been a tremendous contributor to our program and we wish him the best of luck.”
