E-Mac's 2011 NHL Entry Draft Top 120: Justin Thomas #91

By Eldon MacDonald

91. Justin Thomas - “Mr. McNasty” - LW - Canada

Vitals: Size - 6’2”, 207 lb.; Shoots left; Born 25-Jan-93 - London, ON
Team: Sault Ste. Marie, OHL
2010-11 Stats: 11-4-3-7-21-(+0)

Rankings:
91 - E-Mac's 2011 NHL Entry Draft Top 120
Unrated - NHL Central Scouting
Draft result:
Undrafted

OK, so you traded your 1st round pick for Phil Fizzle and you forfeited your second round pick for overpaying Igor Garbagetruck and you lost your 3rd round pick in the washer along with your best pair of black socks and your owner tells you that the team needs you to draft a big nasty, power forward that likes to fight and has soft hands and a shot from a cannon - what do you do since you only have a 4th rounder at best? OK, but keep this very, very quiet, you draft Mr. McNasty, Justin Thomas, a Soo Greyhounds power forward who lost his power early in the season due to a shoulder injury.

And no, I haven’t seen him, and no, Central Scouting hasn’t seen him and no your team’s OHL scout likely hasn’t seen him either. So, while this may all seem like smoke - where there is smoke there is likely to be a fire - how big is the only question. Justin still has to work on his consistency but when he is on he is especially good at battling down low and along the boards and is good with the puck around the crease. Since 4th round draft choices only have a 19% chance of success anyways, why not go for the home run???