A traction battery assembly for a vehicle is provided. The traction battery assembly may include a plurality of battery cells and a thermal plate positioned beneath the battery cells. The thermal plate may be configured for thermal communication with the plurality of battery cells. The thermal plate may define a plurality of multi-pass channel configurations, each corresponding to one of the battery cells. The multi-pass channel configurations may each include a channel inlet and channel outlet on opposite side portions of the thermal plate. The multi-pass channel configurations may each be configured to direct thermal fluid flowing therein to an outlet port of the thermal plate without directing fluid to the channel inlet of another channel configuration.