Norwin hockey’s Alex Thomas signs with NAHL’s Colorado Grit

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Thursday, November 9, 2023 | 4:15 PM

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Colorado Grit general manager Gaven Bickford said Alex Thomas has quick lateral moves on the ice.

Thomas, a skillful forward from North Huntingdon, moved his pen left to right when he signed a tender with the Grit, a North American Hockey League team.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that somebody was watching and liked what they saw about me,” Thomas said. “It also means to keep working hard and pushing myself throughout this season to be ready for next season.”

TENDER ALERT!! ????????????
We are excited to announce our next tender of the season, skilled forward, Alex Thomas!! Thomas will join us from Esmark Stars 18U AAA. We are excited to add Alex to the Grit’s future!! ✍????@NAHLHockey pic.twitter.com/BYsUVtKIqm

— Colorado Grit (@COGrit_NAHL) November 9, 2023

Thomas, a senior at Norwin, will continue to play for the Knights, who are six games into the PIHL Class 2A season. He leads the league in scoring with 23 points (13 goals, 10 assists).

He also will continue to play for his club team, the Esmark Stars 18U AAA.

Thomas could get a call-up this season from the Grit because the team owns his rights. But the plan is for him to join the squad next year.

While not surprised, Norwin coach Mike Robinson said Thomas, one of the best to ever wear a Norwin sweater, is deserving of the tender.

“He’s worked incredibly hard to get where he’s at, and he’s followed up last year’s season with an even stronger start this year both for us at Norwin and for his AAA team,” Robinson said. “I’m excited to see how the remainder of this season goes for him and can’t wait to see him at the next stage in the NAHL.”

Thomas has 85 goals and 73 assists in his career at Norwin and is approaching program records for all-time goals and points.

Daniel Merz (2010-13) had 94 goals and 165 points. Thomas has 85 and 158.

For Esmark, Thomas has 21 goals and 17 assists in 27 games.

Merz, an Allegheny Badgers 18U product, played at Pitt-Greensburg and Pitt.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Norwin