Tage Thompson

Tage Nathaniel Thompson (born October 30, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey winger who is currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). Thompson was selected 26th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

Early life
Thompson was born in Glendale, Arizona, and has lived across the US, attending eleven different schools before accelerating his graduation from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan after his junior year at the University of Connecticut's request.

Playing career
After playing in the U.S. National Development Team in the United States Hockey League, Thompson embarked on a collegiate career with Connecticut in the Hockey East conference. Thompson appeared in all 36 games during his freshman season at UCONN in 2015–16 and was second on the team with 32 points on 14 goals and 18 assists. He also led the nation with 14 power play goals.

In the 2016–17 season, and after his selection by the Blues in the draft, Thompson appeared in 34 games with the Huskies as a sophomore. He missed two games while participating with Team USA in the IIHF World Junior U20 Championship in Canada which resulted in Thompson earning his second Gold Medal. During his 34 games, Thompson led the Huskies with 19 goals and 32 points. After the completion of the Huskies season, Thompson opted to conclude his collegiate career and signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues on March 7, 2017. He immediately joined the Blues affiliate, the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, on an amateur try-out contract for the remainder of the 2016–17 season.

Thompson made his NHL debut in the Blues' first game of the 2017–18 season, against the Pittsburgh Penguins, on October 4, 2017. He played four NHL games before being sent down to the San Antonio Rampage on October 13, 2017. He was recalled back to the NHL on December 18, 2017, and scored his first NHL goal 3 days later, in a 3–2 loss against the Edmonton Oilers.

On July 1, 2018, he was part of a trade by the Blues that sent Vladimír Sobotka, Patrik Berglund, a 2019 first round draft pick, and a 2021 second round draft pick to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Ryan O'Reilly.

Personal life
His father was a former NHL player and current head coach for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Brent Thompson, mother is Kimberly Oliver Thompson from Phoenix, Arizona, and brother Tyce Thompson, who attended Salisbury High School and played for the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL. He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils and is a member of the Providence College men's ice hockey team.