Mars' Kyle Thomas (40) takes out a Quaker Valley player in front of the net during a recent Planets hockey game. The senior has emerged as Mars' leader on ice this season.

WARRENDALE — Beau Heakins knows where to look when the Mars hockey team needs someone to say the right thing before games.

Senior forward Kyle Thomas more often than not knows what to say.

“He’s very motivational. He’s not one of our captains, but he should be,” Heakins said. “He always motivates us before the games, gives us speeches.”

Being well-spoken isn’t without practice for Thomas.

It’s something that he’s spent time outside of the classroom working on.

Last summer, Thomas went to a ‘City on the Hill Conference’ in Harrisburg. Thomas sat through a series of speeches from public speakers that talk about team leadership.

“You learn a lot about how people think and how they’re influenced by what people say,” Thomas said. “It helps when you’re leading a group, especially, to keep everyone on the same track.”

The Planets and Thomas have continued on the right path.

Mars is 16-4-1, second overall in Class A Tier 1 with 33 points behind Quaker Valley.

Thomas is ninth in Class A with 24 assists and 17th in points with 37 points. He’s second on the team in points behind Paul Maust, who has 49.

“We have a lot of amateur guys, that miss a lot of games,” Mars coach Steve Meyers said. “He’s one of our steady guys that never misses. He’s a senior leader. He’s stepped into the leadership role and he gives 110 percent in practice or being out here.”

Thomas feels comfortable with public speaking, but still feels he’s a work in progress.

“I’m not a captain, but lead the team in a way that doesn’t involve an ‘A’ or ‘C’ on my chest,” Thomas said.

Freshman goalie Tom Schall thinks Thomas does a good job helping the young guys in practice.

He’s not afraid to bug Thomas with questions.

“He’s a great leader and always helps me out at practice and tells me if I’m doing something wrong,” Schall said.

Going to Harrisburg stemmed from an interest in politics.

The senior forward doesn’t bug his teammates with it, but he’s always paying attention.

“I wouldn’t make a career out of anything like that,” said Thomas, who will go to Grove City College next year. “I feel like it’s important we have a say in what goes on in the legislation and stuff like that.”

The Planets have two games left in the regular season.

They are hoping to make a return to the Penguins Cup after losing in the semifinals to Thomas Jeferson last season.

“I would say running the system and having everyone there collectively on the same page, mentally,” Thomas said. “As long as we all run the system, we’ll do fine.”