Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: Cyril James Thomas ( born August 5 , 1926 â `` died January 2 , 2009 ) was a Welsh NHL ice hockey winger who played 2 seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs .
Simplified: Cyril James Thomas ( August 5 , 1926 -- January 2 , 2009 ) was a professional ice hockey player who played 14 games in the National Hockey League . Born in Dowlais , Wales , he played with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Black Hawks .