Selected by St. Louis with the No. 20 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, Thomas has led the Blues in scoring each of the past three seasons, including 64 points (25 goals, 39 assists) in 64 games last season, and an NHL career-high 86 points (26 goals, 60 assists) in 82 games in 2023-24.
He has averaged 1.03 points per game (373 points in 361 games) since the beginning of the 2021-22 season, tied for 23rd among NHL players with at least 200 games played during that span.
Thomas has 460 points (132 goals, 328 assists) in 530 games during eight NHL seasons with St. Louis, and 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) in 52 Stanley Cup Playoff games. That includes six points (one goal, five assists) in 21 games as a rookie to help the Blues win the Stanley Cup in 2019.
And he knows how much the Blues mean to the St. Louis community.
“It’s something that I don’t take lightly,” Thomas said. “I understand the history here and how much this team means to the city. It’s a great honor that you guys continue to put the faith in me.
“I’m really excited for the group that we’ve got here. It’s going to be an awesome ride. There’s going to be peaks and valleys, but there’s no group of guys I’d rather go through it with.”
Joining Thomas as part of the leadership group are four alternate captains who will rotate that role between home and away games -- defensemen Colton Parayko and Philip Broberg and forwards Jake Neighbours and Dylan Holloway.
“I think coming in the season was one of the question marks naming a group or captain and I think we made the right decision as an organization,” Neighbours said. “I think Tommer’s an amazing person and player and he’s going to be an amazing captain. I think for me and the rest of us, it’s just about supporting him and supporting each other.
“You heard ‘Steener,’ ‘Monty’ and Tommer talk about it, leadership’s a group thing nowadays. You need multiple guys around the room pulling on the same rope. I’m just excited that it’s official. I’m excited that ‘Broby’ and ‘Holly’ were announced because they’re a big part of this locker room. Excited that Tommer got the ‘C,’ he deserves it.”
Thomas is not only looking to grow into the role, but also help turn the team back into a winner. Since its Cup title in 2019, St. Louis has won one playoff series and has reached the postseason once in the past four seasons.
They just missed the playoffs last season with a 37-22-12 record, four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Steen says he’s confident Thomas and the alternate captains will be great leaders.
“Leadership is an ongoing thing all the time and he looks for information, resources,” Steen said of Thomas. “He’s a very curious person, wants to evolve all the time and I know he’s going to be great at this and this is something he’s going to continue to grow with.
“I’m excited for the entire group too. I remember when I was brought into this leadership group in St. Louis and I see the excitement and the enthusiasm of all the guys. They mix experience in there as well. It’s an exciting time for the guys.”
Thomas said he learned something from all three captains he has played under since joining the Blues: Alex Pietrangelo (2016-20), Ryan O'Reilly (2020-23) and Schenn (2023-26).
“They’re all different people and they all lead a different way, but I think the one thing is the belief in doing it together,” Thomas said. “That was something that never wavered from those three and I think created a lot of success here. That’s why I’m so excited about the leadership group. We all have that belief in each other and the team. It brings a lot of great energy around the room.”
