Tage Thompson
Tage Thompson is an American professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL).[1] Standing at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds, he is known for his powerful shot and physical presence on the ice.[2] Born on October 30, 1997, in Phoenix, Arizona, Thompson was selected in the first round, 26th overall, by the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.[3] The son of former NHL player and current coach Brent Thompson, Tage developed his game through the USA Hockey National Team Development Program before committing to the University of Connecticut.[4] At UConn, he played two seasons from 2015 to 2017, recording 33 goals and 31 assists in 70 games and becoming the highest-drafted player in program history.[5] Following his sophomore year, Thompson signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues and debuted in the NHL during the 2017–18 season after spending time with their AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage.[1] He was traded to the Buffalo Sabres by the St. Louis Blues on July 1, 2018, along with other assets in exchange for forward Ryan O'Reilly, marking the beginning of his tenure with the team where he has since become a cornerstone player. In August 2022, he signed a seven-year contract extension with the Sabres.[1] Thompson's NHL career initially featured modest production, but he broke out in the 2021–22 season with 38 goals and 68 points in 78 games, leading the Sabres in scoring during the latter part of the year.[1] He built on that success in 2022–23, achieving a career-high 47 goals and 94 points while earning his first NHL All-Star selection, and followed with 29 goals in 71 games during the 2023–24 season.[6] In 2024–25, Thompson led the NHL with 37 even-strength goals en route to a 44-goal campaign.[7] As of November 2025, in his ninth NHL season, he has recorded 9 goals and 17 points through 19 games, continuing to anchor Buffalo's top line.[8] Internationally, Thompson has represented the United States, contributing to a gold medal at the 2015 IIHF U18 World Championship and scoring the game-winning goal in the 2025 IIHF World Championship final to secure the U.S.'s first title since 1933.[1][6]Early life
Family and upbringing
Tage Thompson was born on October 30, 1997, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Brent and Kim Thompson.[9] Some sources specify his birthplace as Glendale, Arizona, a suburb within the Phoenix metropolitan area.[10] His parents met in Phoenix while Brent was playing professionally in the area, splitting time between the NHL's Los Angeles Kings and the International Hockey League's Phoenix Roadrunners.[11] Brent Thompson, Tage's father, enjoyed a brief NHL career as a defenseman after being selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the second round (39th overall) of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.[12] He appeared in 121 regular-season games across three teams from 1991 to 1997, recording 1 goal and 10 assists, including 81 games with the Kings from 1991–94, 39 games with the Jets from 1994–96, and 1 game with the Coyotes in 1996–97.[13] The family's lifestyle was shaped by Brent's professional commitments, leading to multiple relocations across the United States during Tage's early years.[14] Growing up in a hockey-centric household, Tage received early exposure to the sport through his father's guidance and involvement.[15] Brent often brought young Tage to practices and games, fostering a deep passion for hockey from an early age.[9] In Arizona, where organized hockey programs were scarce compared to traditional hockey regions, Tage began playing youth hockey, relying on family support and limited local rinks to develop his skills.[16] This environment, combined with the nomadic family life, instilled resilience and adaptability in Thompson before his transition to more structured competitive play.Junior hockey career
Thompson began his organized junior hockey development with the P.A.L. Junior Islanders in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL) 16U division during the 2013–14 season, where he recorded 17 goals and 14 assists for 31 points.[17] In 2014, he joined the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP) Under-18 team for the 2014–15 season, skating in 64 games and tallying 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points overall.[5] Within the United States Hockey League (USHL), his Under-18 squad played 25 games, during which he contributed 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points.[3] Thompson earned international exposure through selections to USA Hockey's junior national teams. He was named to the U.S. Under-17 Select Team in 2014 and later joined the U.S. National Under-18 Team roster announced in August 2014.[18] Representing the Under-18 squad at the 2015 IIHF World Under-18 Championship in Switzerland, he appeared in seven games, recording one assist as Team USA captured the gold medal.[5][19] In August 2014, Thompson verbally committed to play college hockey for the University of Connecticut (UConn), planning to enroll for the 2015–16 season.[17] This decision aligned with his development trajectory in the USNTDP, building on his family's hockey heritage.[17]Professional career
St. Louis Blues organization
In his freshman season at UConn during 2015–16, as a prospect for the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Thompson recorded 14 goals and 18 assists for 32 points in 36 games.[20] Thompson was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round, 26th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.[1] During his sophomore season at the University of Connecticut in 2016–17, he recorded 19 goals and 13 assists for 32 points in 34 games with the Huskies in Hockey East, leading the team in scoring and earning a spot on the Hockey East Third All-Star Team.[21][22] On March 7, 2017, Thompson signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blues, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[23] He then joined the Blues' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, for the remainder of the 2016–17 regular season, where he posted 1 goal and 1 assist in 16 games.[3] In the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs, Thompson contributed 2 goals and 1 assist in 10 games as the Wolves advanced to the Western Conference Finals.[1] In the 2017–18 season, Thompson made his NHL debut with the Blues, appearing in 41 games and recording 3 goals and 6 assists for 9 points.[3] He also spent time developing in the AHL with the Blues' affiliate San Antonio Rampage, tallying 8 goals and 10 assists in 30 games.[3]Buffalo Sabres
On July 1, 2018, the Buffalo Sabres acquired forward Tage Thompson, along with Patrik Berglund, Vladimir Sobotka, and a first-round pick in the 2019 NHL Draft from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for center Ryan O'Reilly. Following the trade, Thompson split the 2018-19 season between the NHL and the American Hockey League (AHL), beginning with the Rochester Americans, where he recorded 6 goals and 3 assists in 8 games.[3] Thompson first appeared with the Sabres during the 2018–19 season, playing in 20 games and recording 1 goal and 1 assist.[1] Thompson continued to shuttle between Rochester and Buffalo over the next two seasons, posting 6 goals and 6 assists in 16 AHL games during 2019-20 before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and adding 14 goals and 21 assists in 38 AHL games in 2020-21 amid limited NHL opportunities.[3][1] Thompson transitioned to a full-time NHL role starting in the 2021-22 season, marking his breakout year with the Sabres as he led the team in scoring with 38 goals and 68 points in 78 games, showcasing his powerful shot and emerging as a top-line center.[1] On August 30, 2022, the Sabres secured Thompson's long-term commitment with a seven-year contract extension worth $50 million, carrying an average annual value of $7.14 million through the 2029-30 season.[24] He built on that momentum in 2022-23, achieving career highs of 47 goals and 94 points in 78 games, including a league-leading 15 power-play goals, while forming a dynamic top line with linemates Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner.[1] The 2023-24 season brought challenges with upper-body injuries that limited him to 71 games, during which he still managed 29 goals and 56 points, serving as Buffalo's offensive anchor despite the team's struggles.[1] In recognition of his leadership and on-ice impact, Thompson was named one of the team's rotating alternate captains for the 2024-25 season, alongside Alex Tuch, Dylan Cozens, and Mattias Samuelsson, under captain Rasmus Dahlin.[25] In 2024-25, Thompson rebounded strongly, scoring 44 goals and 72 points in 76 games to solidify his status as one of the Sabres' premier offensive leaders and helping drive the team's push toward playoff contention.[1] As of November 18, 2025, in the 2025-26 season, he has recorded 9 goals and 8 assists for 17 points in 19 games, continuing to contribute significantly on the top line amid Buffalo's competitive start.[1]International career
Junior level
Tage Thompson represented the United States at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championship, where he played 7 games, recording 0 goals and 1 assist while helping the team win gold.[26] He also competed at the 2017 IIHF World Under-20 Championship, held in Toronto and Montreal, Canada, where he played all seven games for Team USA, recording 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points while accumulating 4 penalty minutes.[27] His contributions helped the American squad capture the gold medal, defeating Canada 5–4 in a shootout in the final after overcoming multiple deficits.[28] Positioned on a line with forwards Clayton Keller and Colin White (ice hockey, born 1997), Thompson demonstrated his size, skating ability, and playmaking potential against top international junior talent.[29] This tournament performance underscored his early international promise, earning him recognition as a key piece in Team USA's successful campaign and highlighting his transition from domestic junior hockey to the global stage.[30]Senior level
Thompson made his senior international debut with the United States at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, appearing in 2 games and recording 1 goal.[31] He returned in 2021, playing 8 games with 1 goal and 4 assists for 5 points.[32] Thompson's performance elevated further at the 2025 IIHF World Championship in Sweden, registering 6 goals and 3 assists for 9 points over 10 games and leading the U.S. in goals, including the overtime game-winner in a 1–0 gold medal final victory against Switzerland on May 25, 2025—the first such title for the United States since 1933.[33][34] Despite a strong 2024–25 NHL season with the Buffalo Sabres that featured 44 goals, Thompson was omitted from the U.S. roster for the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.[35] His standout international showing in 2025 has positioned him as a strong candidate for selection to the U.S. team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.[6]Personal life
Marriage and family
Tage Thompson met his future wife, Rachel, on his 19th birthday in 2016.[36] The couple married on July 25, 2021, after dating for several years.[37] Thompson and Rachel have three children: their first son, Brooks Nathaniel, born on July 6, 2022; their second son, Baker David, born on December 28, 2023; and their daughter, Indie Mae, born on July 24, 2025.[38][39][40] Rachel provided crucial support during Thompson's 2018 trade from the St. Louis Blues organization to the Buffalo Sabres, facilitating the family's relocation and eventual settlement in Buffalo, where they purchased a home in the waterfront area.[41] As a dedicated family man, Thompson has expressed gratitude for the stability his family brings amid the rigors of NHL life, noting that his children are being raised in Buffalo and crediting the supportive community for enhancing their family experience.[42][36]Health challenges
In 2019, while the couple was dating, Rachel Thompson was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that originated in the soft tissue near bones in her right leg.[43] She underwent successful surgery to remove the cancerous mass and has remained cancer-free since her treatment.[43] Tage Thompson has been vocal about his public support for his wife during her diagnosis and recovery, describing the experience as profoundly impactful on their family.[36] He has drawn inspiration from her resilience, noting in a 2022 interview that her battle continues to motivate him both on and off the ice, helping him maintain perspective amid professional pressures.[36] This mindset proved particularly influential during the 2022-23 NHL season, following the birth of their son Brooks in July 2022, as Thompson credited her strength for fostering his personal growth and focus.[36] Thompson himself has not encountered major personal health challenges beyond the routine injuries common in professional ice hockey, such as those contributing to performance variations in subsequent seasons.[44]Faith
Tage Thompson is a practicing Christian who has publicly shared how his faith has been central to his life and career since childhood. He has stated that his faith became particularly important during his college years at the University of Connecticut. Thompson strives to "be a light" for Christ through his actions in hockey, expressing a desire to help others come to know Christ by living out his faith.[45] He has relied on his faith to guide him through professional challenges, including trades and career transitions.[10]Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Tage Thompson began his professional career with limited NHL appearances in his first few seasons after being drafted by the St. Louis Blues, transitioning to the Buffalo Sabres in 2018. His early years were marked by adjustment challenges, but he experienced a significant breakout starting in 2021-22, establishing himself as one of the league's premier goal scorers. The following table summarizes his NHL regular season statistics from 2017-18 through the partial 2025-26 season (as of November 18, 2025).[46]| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | STL | NHL | 41 | 3 | 6 | 9 | -12 | 12 |
| 2018–19 | BUF | NHL | 65 | 7 | 5 | 12 | -22 | 20 |
| 2019–20 | BUF | NHL | 20 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -6 | 8 |
| 2020–21 | BUF | NHL | 38 | 8 | 6 | 14 | -6 | 17 |
| 2021–22 | BUF | NHL | 78 | 38 | 30 | 68 | -17 | 37 |
| 2022–23 | BUF | NHL | 78 | 47 | 47 | 94 | +4 | 39 |
| 2023–24 | BUF | NHL | 71 | 29 | 27 | 56 | -1 | 43 |
| 2024–25 | BUF | NHL | 76 | 44 | 28 | 72 | -2 | 35 |
| 2025–26 | BUF | NHL | 19 | 9 | 8 | 17 | -5 | 10 |
International
Thompson represented the United States in several international ice hockey tournaments, accumulating statistics across junior and senior levels while earning multiple medals.Junior International Statistics
| Year | Tournament | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | IIHF U18 World Championship | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | IIHF World U20 Championship | 7 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Senior International Statistics
| Year | Tournament | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | IIHF World Championship | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 2021 | IIHF World Championship | 8 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| 2025 | IIHF World Championship | 10 | 6 | 3 | 9 |