Tage Thompson (St. Louis Blues)
The St. Louis Blues selected forward Tage Thompson with their first round pick at the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo.
The Blues, who originally were expected to pick at No. 28, made a deal with the Washington Capitals to acquire their 26th pick to get him.
Thompson, who is the son of former Peoria Rivermen assistant coach Brent Thompson, said he met with the Blues several times prior to tonight’s draft.
“I got a good vibe from them,” Thompson said. “I got along with their staff, felt very comfortable and was very happy to hear my name called by them.”
Thompson, 18, dressed in 36 games during his freshman season at the University of Connecticut in 2015-16, recording 32 points (14 goals and 18 assists).
In 2014-15, the 6-foot-5, 194-pound forward appeared in 64 games with the United States National U-18 Team, posting 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) and 32 penalty minutes.
In addition, the Oyster Bay, New York, native dressed in seven games with Team USA at the U-18 World Junior Championships, helping the team capture the Gold Medal.
Thompson was ranked 20th among North American skaters by NHL’s Central Scouting.
“This is something I’ve dreamed of my whole life,” Thompson said after the draft.
