Buffalo Sabres: Admiring Tage Thompson’s approach to the game

The Buffalo Sabres had an All-Star snub in Tage Thompson last month. And it’s the latest bit of adversity that will fuel him for the future.

Fans of the Buffalo Sabres are probably too familiar with former NFL quarterback, Tom Brady. Of course, Brady tore apart the Sabres neighbor, the Buffalo Bills, for two decades before he spent the final two seasons of his storied career in Florida.

But now, it looks like center Tage Thompson, or Tommers, as many refer to him, has taken a page from Tom Brady’s handbook. Especially when it comes to responding to adversity. While Thompson may never become a Hall of Famer, like Brady and others who have graced the four major North American professional sports leagues, he still takes rejection personally. And he uses it to fuel and improve his game.

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson’s approach to hockey

Buffalo Hockey Beat reported an article where Thompson’s father recalls his son facing adversity when one of USA’s Hockey regional camps cut him. The missed opportunity meant Thompson would not have a spot on the U.S. National Team Development Program.

It’s safe to say Thompson rose to the challenge, having found a spot on a Sabres scoring line that has the potential to develop into one of the league’s best in the (hopefully) not-so-distant future. But getting cut from the development program was one of a few instances where Thompson faced adversity early in his hockey career.

He suffered a near-career-ending injury in 2012 when he broke his leg and simultaneously tore his MCL and PCL. Look across the four North American Pro Sports leagues, and you can point to dozens of players whose careers ended prematurely or they were never the same following the injury. You may also remember the season-ending shoulder injury he suffered , which occurred in his first game for the Sabres in the 2019-20 season.

Before his shoulder injury in 2019-20, Thompson previously appeared in 65 games with the Sabres, but saw little playing time. Players whose careers reflect that of Thompson’s fade after just a few seasons. And given his status as a 26th overall pick for the St. Louis Blues, it’s safe to say he even rode the bust label for a while.

But here we are with Tommers, one of the NHL’s fastest-rising centers. And at just 24, he still has room to grow while he chases that coveted appearance in a future NHL All-Star Game.