Tom grew up in Pennsylvania where he played high school hockey, college hockey, and amateur adult league hockey. After helping his amateur club to several play-off appearances, an injury forced Tom to quit the game for several years.

After moving to Dallas, Texas, Tom entered the local player draft. He was selected by the last place Stickmen of the PIHL. Although the team hadn't won a game in two previous seasons, Tom helped guide them to a 10-7-1 record in his first season. In addition to playing with the Stickmen, Tom helped the Blackhawks of the Dallas Stars Center League take home the third place trophy at the 2001 Dallas Stars Thanksgiving Tournament featuring 20 teams from across North Texas.

In the fall of 2001, Tom helped form the Dallas Moose Knuckles Ice Hockey Club. He helped his team win the Polar Ice Memorial Day Tournament featuring 12 teams from across Texas. Tom also helped his club take the PIHL regular season title by leading the league in shut-outs (5), lowest goals against (1.89), wins (22), and assists by a goalie (3). He picked up a shut-out during the club's successful play-off run resulting in a league championship title.

Upon moving to Las Vegas in 2002, Tom joined the Las Vegas Blades in the NHE "A" league. The team folded after one year so Tom moved to the Las Vegas Sharks in the NHE "B" league. In 2004, Tom helped form the Las Vegas Hookers by combining members of Hammerheads Hockey Club and the Las Vegas Sharks. The team entered the newly formed LVIC league.

In 2006, Tom led the Hookers to regular season championships at the "B" and "C" levels. He led the LVIC "B" league with the fewest goals against and most wins. He also helped lead his club to the best record in the league.

In 2007, Tom celebrated his 50th birthday by leading the club once again to "B" and "C" league regular season titles. He also led the league again in wins and lowest goals against. He set club records for goals against, points by a goalie (4), and regular season wins (43) on the way to helping the club win the LVIC "B" tournament championship. He was named MVP of the LVIC championship after posting the lowest goals against in the tournament.

Tom posted the lowest goals against and a 3-0 record in the 2007 USA Hockey Pacific Regional Hockey Classic to qualify the Hookers for the national championship tournament in May. He went unbeaten in the national tournament and once again posted the lowest goals against while leading the Hookers to the 2007 USA Hockey Rec Division 1 National Championship.

Tom finished the 2006-07 season with an overall record of 57-12-2 in regular season, tournament, and play-off matches.

At the midway point of the 2007-08 season, Tom recorded five shut-outs in regular season and tournament play.