The Winkler Flyers have found their next leader—and he’s one of their own.
Nineteen-year-old Kam Thomas, a hometown forward entering his second season with the Flyers, has been named captain for the 2025–26 season. It’s a moment that holds deep personal meaning—not just for Kam, but for his entire family. His father, Chris Thomas, wore the very same “C” during the 1996–97 season as captain of the Flyers. Now, nearly three decades later, the Thomas legacy comes full circle.
“Obviously, growing up in Winkler, it’s a pretty special honour to be named captain of the Flyers,” Kam said. “It’s also a pretty cool moment for my family and me, as my dad used to be captain here as well.”
A reveal to remember
The announcement itself was anything but ordinary. Kam was called in for what he assumed would be a routine summer meeting with Flyers head coach and GM Matt Melo.
“I thought it was just to talk about off-season stuff,” Kam recalled. “I showed up and everything seemed normal—my parents even said they were going for a walk. Totally believable.”
But when Kam walked into the rink, things felt different.
“The lights were off, jerseys were hanging… I thought maybe it was a new jersey reveal or something,” he said with a laugh. “Then I turn the corner, and I see the lights go on, my jersey with the 'C' on it, and my parents standing there at the back of the room. It was actually pretty cool.”
What went through his head in that moment?
“A lot,” Kam admitted. “I kinda blacked out for a bit, honestly. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
“You never think about stuff like that”
Thomas’s path to captaincy wasn’t always smooth. He didn’t crack the Flyers’ roster in his Grade 12 year. Instead, he spent time as a prospect call-up near the end of the season before making the team outright the following year.
Asked whether he ever imagined himself being captain, Kam was candid.
“Not really, no. It’s something you don’t really think about. When it happened, it was just kind of surreal.”
That humility and work ethic—combined with his strong connection to the community—are what helped him earn the respect of his coaches and teammates, according to Coach Melo.
“Kam is a local product who’s deeply respected in our community and even more so in our dressing room,” Melo said in a team statement. “He’s a player who upholds the standards of our culture and drives them forward. We believe Kam fully embodies what it means to be a Winkler Flyer.”
Following in his father’s footsteps
Chris Thomas, who captained the Flyers nearly 30 years ago, was in on the surprise. But keeping the news a secret wasn’t easy.
“Kam’s coach texted me—which never happens,” Chris said with a chuckle. “At first, I thought something might be wrong. Then he said he wanted to name Kam the next captain, and that we’d be part of a little reveal.”
For five days, Chris and Kam’s mom, Sherry, kept it under wraps.
“We just avoided him,” Chris joked. “If Kam came in, we were walking out the door.”
Asked what it meant to see his son take on the same role he once held, Chris didn’t hold back.
“It’s really cool. I mean, I was captain too, so that makes it even more special,” he said. “To see him take that on and be a leader on this team—it’s awesome. He deserves it.”
The lessons that stick
Kam says the lessons learned from his dad—both in sport and in life—have shaped who he is today.
“He’s always told us that you can only control what you can control,” Kam said. “That’s a big part of how we were raised. Some things will go your way, some things won’t, but you’ve just got to stay even keel and push forward.”
Chris, meanwhile, spoke of Kam’s natural leadership.
“He has a natural tendency to lead people. He has this aura that attracts people to him,” Chris said. “He’s just a great kid. He deserves this.”
Eyes on the ice—and the community
Kam’s impact extends beyond the locker room. He’s a multi-sport athlete who’s grown up immersed in the local sports scene—and has given back to it, too. He credits former Flyers like Nolan McGuire, Trent Penner, and Trent Sambrook as local inspirations growing up.
“Those are guys I looked up to,” Kam said. “They were closer to my age and I got to see them around, at practices, in the community. That stuck with me.”
Now, he’s the one younger players are watching—and he's ready to lead.
“We had a really strong regular season last year,” Kam said. “But we’ve got to realize in playoffs, you don’t get a second chance. It’s all or nothing.”
With the “C” stitched on his chest and the community behind him, Kam Thomas is stepping into a legacy—and writing his own chapter.