Tage Thompson has quickly become one of the most talked-about centers in the NHL, but fans searching for details about his family, salary, and personal life often find scattered information. This profile pulls together verified facts from league records, team sources, and credible journalism to give you a clear, accurate picture of the Buffalo Sabres alternate captain — from his seven-year, $50 million contract to his wife and three children. We start with what the official NHL site confirms: Thompson was born on October 30, 1997, in Glendale, Arizona.

Last checked: 2026-07-05

Full Name: Tage Nathaniel Thompson · Birthplace: Glendale, Arizona, USA · Current Team: Buffalo Sabres (NHL) · Draft: 2016 NHL Draft (St. Louis Blues)

How we researched this

Last checked: 2026-07-05.

Sources reviewed: NHL.com, University of Connecticut Athletics, Sports Illustrated, PuckPedia, Elite Prospects, Wikipedia, official Instagram.

We did not conduct an on-site interview or contact the subject; all information comes from public records and verified media reports.

Quick facts about Tage Thompson

1 Full Name
2 Birthplace
3 Current Team
4 Draft
  • 2016 NHL Draft, 26th overall, St. Louis Blues (NHL.com)
CategoryDetail
Full NameTage Nathaniel Thompson
BirthplaceGlendale, Arizona, USA
Age27 (born October 30, 1997)
Height / Weight6 ft 6 in (197 cm) / 220 lb (100 kg) — per NHL.com
PositionCenter / Alternate captain
Current TeamBuffalo Sabres
Draft Year & Pick2016, 1st round, 26th overall (St. Louis Blues)
Contract ExtensionSeven years, $50 million (AAV ~$7.14M) signed August 30, 2022, per NHL.com
WifeRachel Thompson (married July 2021)
ChildrenBrooks (b. July 2022), Baker David (b. Dec 2023), Indie Mae (b. July 2025) — per Sports Illustrated

How many children does Tage Thompson have?

Meet the Thompson family

Tage and Rachel Thompson have three children. Their first son, Brooks Nathaniel Thompson, was born in July 2022 — the Buffalo Sabres shared the news on their official Instagram account. According to Sports Illustrated, a second son, Baker David Thompson, arrived in December 2023, followed by a daughter, Indie Mae Thompson, in July 2025. Tage has called Rachel “by far the best mom in the world” in a social media post reported by the same outlet.

“By far the best mom in the world.”

— Tage Thompson, as quoted by Sports Illustrated

The family often appears together at Sabres games, with Rachel and the children supporting Thompson from the stands. The couple’s ability to balance a growing household with an NHL career has drawn positive attention from fans and media.

The pattern: The Thompson family has grown quickly during Tage’s rise to stardom, with three children born between 2022 and 2025.

What is Tage Thompson’s current salary?

Contract details and cap hit

Thompson’s current contract is a seven-year, $50 million extension signed with the Buffalo Sabres on August 30, 2022, effective from the 2023–24 season. The average annual value (AAV) is approximately $7.14 million, as reported by NHL.com. This deal replaced his previous three-year, $4.2 million contract (AAV $1.4 million) signed with the St. Louis Blues on October 5, 2020, according to PuckPedia. Elite Prospects confirms that the contract runs through the 2029–30 season, reflecting the Sabres’ long-term commitment.

“The Buffalo Sabres showed they were all in on Thompson when the forward signed a seven-year, $50 million contract Aug. 30, 2022.”

— NHL.com staff writer

The raise from $1.4 million to $7.14 million AAV marks one of the biggest leaps for a player who had yet to fully break out when the extension was signed — Thompson’s 47-goal, 94-point season in 2022–23 followed shortly after.

The bottom line: Thompson’s contract reflects his transition from a promising prospect to a franchise cornerstone, with the Sabres betting on his continued growth.

Who is Tage Thompson’s wife?

Rachel Thompson’s background

Tage married Rachel (née Rachel, no maiden name publicly confirmed) in July 2021. The couple met while both were students at the University of Connecticut and became engaged in 2020, per Sports Illustrated. During their relationship, Rachel was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. She underwent surgery and treatment, and subsequent coverage describes her as cancer-free. Rachel frequently attends Sabres games and shares family moments on social media.

“I appear to be an overnight sensation to a lot of people, but Thompson’s journey to NHL stardom has been a long, winding, and difficult road.”

— Narrator, ESPN feature “Arrival: The Tage Thompson story”

Thompson has credited Rachel’s strength as a key personal motivator, and the couple’s story — from a UConn romance to a cancer battle to raising three children — has made them a beloved pair in Buffalo’s hockey community.

Why this matters: Rachel’s resilience adds a deeply human dimension to Thompson’s on-ice achievements, showing how personal challenges have shaped him as both a player and a father.

Detailed player profile

AttributeValue
Date of BirthOctober 30, 1997 (NHL.com)
Place of BirthGlendale, Arizona, USA (Wikipedia)
Height6 ft 6 in (197 cm)
Weight220 lb (100 kg)
ShootsRight
PositionCenter / Alternate captain
Drafted2016, Round 1, Pick 26 (St. Louis Blues) — NHL.com
Current TeamBuffalo Sabres
Contract StatusSeven-year, $50M extension (2023–2030) — Elite Prospects
CollegeUniversity of Connecticut (2015–2016)
Jersey Number72 — per NHL.com

Career timeline

  • October 30, 1997: Born in Glendale, Arizona (NHL.com)
  • 2015–2016: Plays freshman season at UConn; leads nation in power-play goals (UConn Athletics)
  • June 2016: Drafted 26th overall by St. Louis Blues (NHL.com)
  • October 5, 2020: Signs three-year, $4.2M entry-level contract with Blues (PuckPedia)
  • July 2022: Marries Rachel (Sports Illustrated)
  • July 2022: Birth of son Brooks Nathaniel Thompson (Buffalo Sabres Instagram)
  • August 30, 2022: Signs seven-year, $50M extension with Buffalo Sabres (NHL.com)
  • December 2022: Scores five goals in a single NHL game, ties franchise record (Famous Birthdays)
  • January 2023: Named to first NHL All-Star Game (Famous Birthdays)

For a deeper look at his family life and finances, Tage Thompson’s off-ice story offers verified details on his wife and children.

Frequently asked questions

Where did Tage Thompson play college hockey?

Thompson played one season of NCAA hockey at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in 2015–16, appearing in all 36 games and becoming the highest NHL draft pick in UConn program history (UConn Athletics).

What is Tage Thompson’s height and weight?

Thompson is 6 feet 6 inches (197 cm) tall and weighs 220 pounds (100 kg), per his official NHL.com profile.

When was Tage Thompson drafted?

He was selected 26th overall in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the St. Louis Blues (NHL.com).

What teams has Tage Thompson played for?

Thompson has played for two NHL organizations: the St. Louis Blues (that drafted him) and the Buffalo Sabres, where he has served as alternate captain since 2022.

Has Tage Thompson won any awards?

He was named to the 2023 NHL All-Star Game and scored five goals in a single game in December 2022, tying a Buffalo Sabres franchise record (Famous Birthdays).

What is Tage Thompson’s jersey number?

Thompson wears number 72 for the Buffalo Sabres, as listed on his NHL.com profile.

Is Tage Thompson currently injured?

As of March 2025, no active injury has been reported; Thompson is expected to be available for the remainder of the season.

What is Tage Thompson’s nationality?

He is an American professional ice hockey player, born in Glendale, Arizona (Wikipedia).

Why Tage Thompson is a player to watch

For hockey fans and Buffalo Sabres followers, Thompson combines rare size with elite scoring ability — he became only the second American-born player to score five goals in a game and hit 47 goals in 2022–23. His seven-year commitment through 2030 makes him the centerpiece of Buffalo’s rebuild, and his family story — from a hockey-nomad childhood to a wife who beat cancer — gives him a depth that resonates beyond the rink.

Sources cited