From a Panther to a Laker in all but three years, Oswego State women’s hockey forward Amber Thomas proved to be one of the most vital players for the green and gold last season.  

Before Thomas came to play hockey for the Lakers, the senior played two seasons for Plymouth State, her freshman and sophomore years. In search of a better environment and a good hockey fit, Thomas made a connection with the Lakers’ team and coaching staff. 

“I was not happy where I was,” Thomas said. “I knew some of the girls who went to Oswego and reached out to the coach and that is what basically reeled me in.” 

Thomas, the Cornwall, Ontario, Canada native, felt that Oswego State would be a good fit for her because it was close to home. As a transfer student, she did not know how smooth the transition would be, but fortunately for both, Thomas and Oswego State benefited from her arrival. 

“It was the best I could hope for,” Thomas said. “You never know when transferring if it is going to be the greatest thing that happens or the worst.”

Thomas was a great offensive and defensive asset for the Lakers. In her junior season, she had her best statistical performance of her collegiate career, where she put together six goals and 15 assists for 27 total points throughout 27 games played. Thomas’ newfound home and teammates were the cause of her instant success.

“We all wanted to be a competitive collegiate team, and we did really well at that,” Thomas said. “I honestly cannot pick a favorite moment; you can’t get any better than Oswego. I never felt that I was not at home.”

For Oswego State and countless college programs, athletics were put on pause due to COVID-19. It was tough for players like Thomas to grasp, as it seemed like everything was put on pause at the drop of a puck. 

“I have been playing since I was four years old,” Thomas said. “It was devastating to see it come to an end during your senior season, which a lot of people look forward to.”

Fortunately, during the biggest moments of uncertainty, women’s hockey head coach Mark Digby served as a beacon of light for newcomers and returning players on the team.  For Thomas, Digby’s perseverance to prepare his team for a potential return to the ice was a sign of relief. 

“I found coach Mark Digby kept us going with our Zoom calls and meetings,” Thomas said. “I thought that he really helped a lot of the newcomers and returning players to keep pushing to the goal and what we really wanted.” 

A good relationship between a player and a coach is exactly what every good team needs. There was nothing but respect for one another when it came to Thomas and Digby.  When it came to one of the coach’s most selfless players on the team, he was enthused to have coached her. 

“The easiest way to describe Amber is consistent,” Digby said. “She does everything in her life the exact same way, you know exactly what you are going to get every day. Every single shift you know what you are going to get physically, you know what you are going to get mentally.” 

Taking Thomas’ impressive stat line for her first season into account, Digby was more satisfied by the role she played as a teammate. In a game against Castleton University, last season the coach was amused by her performance to bring pucks back.

“It was almost hysterical,” Digby said. “Amber’s ability to repeatedly bring pucks back for us in that game created a ton of offense. Not everyone has the ability to make those plays and that is what I thought was the strongest part of her game.”

Thomas plans to start school in hopes of becoming a police officer after she graduates. Using those communication skills from the ice and having good teamwork traits will benefit her career down the road.

The senior received Oswego State Athlete of the Week and NEWHL Player of the Week in her one season at Oswego State. 

“It was a really good feeling,” Thomas said. “It felt like what you were doing was getting noticed. I am usually someone who flies under the radar, and all my teammates were very supportive.”

The Oswegonian file photo from 2019