Blues swap picks with Capitals, select Tage Thompson 26th overall
The St. Louis Blues made a deal with the Washington Capitals, and selected forward Tage Thompson with the 26th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft on Friday.
Tage Thompson
Position: C/RW
Height: 6'5
Weight: 185 pounds
Age: 18
Club: University of Connecticut
Nationality: American
| GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 14 | 18 | 32 |
Thompson had an impressive freshman season at UConn after winning gold alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk at the 2015 Under-18 World Championship.
The son of former NHLer Brent Thompson rose from 24th on the Central Scouting midterm rankings among North American skaters to 20th at season's end.
"He's a pro player," NHL Director of Central Scouting Dan Marr told NHL.com's Michael LoRe in March.
"For him to go into (Connecticut) and get the ice time and production he's getting, he's getting bigger and stronger and his skating has picked up," Marr said. "He upgraded his skating even though he didn't need to, so he's one of these guys who can get in, protect the puck, get it to the net and he's hard to check.
"As a freshman, to go there and get that ice time, and be given the responsibility that he has, that's what is impressive."