LetsGoDU

Player Profile: DU #5 Andrew Thomas

If DU is going to have a successful Thanksgiving weekend on the East Coast, chances are they are going to need a big weekend from their "Defensive Defenseman," Sophmore Andrew Thomas. It is a well-known "Urban Legend" that DU struggles at low altitude where the air is heavier, the puck doesn't fly as fast, and there is more humidity. A quick scan of the DU Roster finds only a few guys from the "coasts." Thomas from Bow, NH has a game that is ideally suited for "low altitude" hockey. Is it little wonder that a coastal team, the Washington Capitals snapped up Thomas in the 4th Round (109th overall) of last season's NHL draft?

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It was little surprise to DU fans that Thomas played a major role in last season's First Round victory over Bemidi State in the NCAA Tournament in Amherst, MA. Thomas' goal in the First Period helped propel the Pioneers to their 7th National Championship.

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DU fans who watch Thomas this season, will see a player performing a much different role than he did during his first season as a Pioneer. One of only two defensemen returning for the two-time defending national champions, Thomas has transformed from reliable rookie to blue-line backbone for the country's 13th-ranked club.

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"I've had a lot more responsibility put on my shoulders," Thomas said. "My ice time has gone up a lot, my role on special teams - power play and penalty kill - have also gone up a lot, so it's good. It's what every player wants, to be relied on like that."

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This weekend Thomas will see a few familiar faces. He played with BU's sensational Sophmore Peter MacArthur, a teammate wit him on the Waterloo Black Hawks. Together they won USHL's Clark Cup Championship in 2004. BU Senior John LaLiberte was captain of Thomas' EJHL team, the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs for Thomas' first year in Juniors. Thomas was a Sophomore in high school at the time. A little known fact is that Thomas has been part of a championship winning team in the EJHL, the USHL , the WCHA , and the NCAA. If he can pick up a Stanley Cup with the Capitals, that would be one heck of a trivia question.

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Since arriving at DU, Thomas has been a "Block of Granite" on the blue line allowing teammates Matt Carle and Brent Skinner to wander into the offense zone. This season Thomas has been paired with a trio of DU's talented Freshmen defensemen. TJ Fast, Julian Marcuzzi and Chris Butler have all spent time playing with Thomas.

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Andrew's brother Matthew, was a four year hockey player at the Naval Academy and is currently serving his country onboard a US Navy ship. Since Boston and Amherst are a short trek from New Hampshire, look for a large Thomas contingent in the DU section. If Thomas sticks to his "coastal form" a goal this weekend won't be a surprise.