Tage Thompson
Position: Center/Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 185 pounds
Current Team: University of Connecticut, NCAA
Probability for Success: 2-3 years development, second pairing
When I first researched forward Tage Thompson, I reacted the same way I did with Logan Brown: Holy moly, he’s big and good. Weirdly, Thompson is ranked anywhere from 24th (McKeen’s and The Hockey Writers) to 53 (The Sports Network). He’s ranked at #20 for North American skaters by Central Scouting.
Besides his size, I like a couple other things about Thompson. First of all, he just missed the cutoff for the 2015 draft, so he’s a mite older than his fellow prospects. He’s already got a full extra year of development under his belt, so he might be ready for the pros more quickly.
Here he is in action:
What’s more, Thompson is a skill player. He’s got good stick handling. His long stride makes him fast — which is always a plus for fitting in the Colorado Avalanche mold.
Of course, with that size Tage Thompson is also a physical player. He doesn’t take bad penalties — or even a lot of penalties. However, he’s no stranger to using his size and strength to his advantage. Thompson is definitely a power forward in the making — and one who could make a big impact eventually in the NHL.
Next: Avs Cleaning House at AHL Level
Because of his size and skill, I don’t think the Colorado Avalanche will be unable to resist Tage Thompson if he’s still available at #40. He’s also my prime pick for the team’s second-round selection.