Behind the highlight-reel goals and the seven-year contract extension lies a story that few fans know. Tage Thompson didn’t just become a Buffalo Sabres star overnight — his journey involved a draft-day trade, a family health crisis, and a quiet resilience that has shaped his career.

Age: 28 (born October 30, 1997) ·
Height/Weight: 6’6″, 220 lbs ·
Position: Center ·
Team: Buffalo Sabres ·
Salary (annual): $7.14 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Thompson signed a 7-year, $50M extension in August 2022 (Buffalo Hockey Beat)
  • He had a breakout 2021-22 season with 38 goals and 68 points (NHL.com)
  • Wife Rachel Thompson was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma and is now cancer-free (NHLPA)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact date of Rachel’s aneurysm surgery remains unspecified (NHLPA)
  • How the couple first met is reported differently across sources (NHLPA says 19th birthday; other accounts vary)
  • Current net worth estimates range widely, with no single reliable figure (NHLPA)
3Timeline signal
  • Drafted 26th overall in 2016 by St. Louis Blues (Elite Prospects)
  • Rachel’s cancer diagnosis came in 2022, followed by surgery and recovery (NHLPA)
  • Signed contract extension in August 2022 (Buffalo Hockey Beat)
4What’s next
  • Thompson remains under contract through 2029-30 with the Sabres (PuckPedia)
  • He continues to serve as alternate captain and lead the team offensively (PuckPedia)
  • Rachel advocates for brain and bone cancer awareness (PuckPedia)

Nine key facts, one pattern: from draft-day uncertainty to franchise center and family anchor.

Label Value
Full Name Tage Nathaniel Thompson
Age 28 (born October 30, 1997)
Height 6’6″
Weight 220 lbs
Position Center
Team Buffalo Sabres
Salary (annual) $7.14 million
Wife Rachel Thompson
Children Two (son and daughter)

Who is Tage Thompson’s wife?

Who is Rachel Thompson?

Rachel Thompson is the wife of Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson. She is a former athlete — she played soccer at the University of Connecticut — and now focuses on family life and advocacy. The couple has been married since July 2021, according to a report from Sports Illustrated (Athlete Lifestyle).

How did Tage and Rachel meet?

According to the NHLPA (National Hockey League Players’ Association), the two first met on Tage’s 19th birthday. They got engaged in 2020 and married the following summer.

What does Rachel Thompson do for a living?

Rachel is a former college soccer player who now dedicates her time to raising their children and supporting her husband’s career. After her cancer battle, she has also become an advocate for health awareness, sharing her story to inspire others.

Bottom line: Tage Thompson’s wife Rachel is a former college athlete and mother of two who survived a rare cancer called chondrosarcoma. She now champions cancer awareness while the family lives in Buffalo.

What happened to Tage Thompson’s wife?

Rachel Thompson’s brain aneurysm

In 2022, Rachel Thompson was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that often starts in bone and can also occur in soft tissue near bone. The diagnosis was confirmed by the NHLPA (players’ union), which detailed her treatment and recovery. Note that earlier reports sometimes described the event as a brain aneurysm, but the medical record from the NHLPA specifically identifies it as chondrosarcoma.

Her recovery and family support

Rachel underwent surgery and is now cancer-free, according to the NHLPA. Throughout her treatment, Tage was by her side, balancing his NHL career with hospital visits and family responsibilities. The couple’s first child, Brooks, was born just before she received her diagnosis.

Tage Thompson’s dedication to family

Tage has publicly credited his wife’s bravery as a source of motivation. “She’s the strongest person I know,” he told the NHLPA (players’ union) in a profile. The experience deepened their bond and reshaped his perspective on hockey and life.

Why this matters

Tage Thompson’s response to his wife’s health crisis — staying present as a father and partner while maintaining elite NHL production — shows that resilience extends beyond the rink. For teammates and fans, it reframes what leadership looks like.

How many kids does Tage Thompson have?

Names and ages of children

Tage and Rachel have three children, according to Sports Illustrated (family lifestyle reporting). Their first son, Brooks Nathaniel Thompson, was born in July 2022. Their second son, Baker David Thompson, arrived in December 2023. Their daughter, Indie Mae Thompson, was born in July 2025.

Family life in Buffalo

The family lives in the Buffalo area during the hockey season. Rachel has shared photos of the children on social media, including a May 2024 post that showed her with all three kids before a Sabres game, as reported by Sports Illustrated (Athlete Lifestyle).

What is Tage Thompson’s current salary?

Contract details with Buffalo Sabres

In August 2022, Tage Thompson signed a seven-year, approximately $50 million contract extension with the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo Hockey Beat (independent Sabres news) reported the deal at $49,999,999 total value, which PuckPedia (salary cap tracker) breaks down as a $7,142,857 annual cap hit. Before that, he was playing on a three-year, $4.2 million bridge deal with a $1.4 million cap hit.

Salary cap hit and free agency status

The contract runs through the 2029-30 season, securing Thompson as a core piece of the Sabres’ rebuild. His $7.14 million cap hit currently ranks among the top earners on the team. NHL.com (official league stats) notes he wore an alternate captain patch in the 2023-24 season, underlining his value.

The catch

Thompson’s production has been uneven since signing — his 47-goal 2022-23 season was followed by a 2023-24 campaign shortened by injury. For a team near the salary cap, his $7.14 million commitment carries risk if he cannot sustain top-line output.

What is Tage Thompson’s real name?

Full name: Tage Nathaniel Thompson

His full name is Tage Nathaniel Thompson, as recorded by Elite Prospects (hockey database). He goes by Tage, but teammates sometimes call him “Tommer.”

Why he uses Tage

Thompson has been known as Tage since childhood. The name is Danish in origin — his father Brent Thompson, a former NHL player, chose it. Tage means “day” in Danish.

Background info

Born October 30, 1997, in Phoenix, Arizona (sources vary on Glendale vs. Phoenix, but both refer to the metro area), Thompson played college hockey at the University of Connecticut before being drafted 26th overall by the St. Louis Blues in 2016 (ESPN (sports data)). He was traded to Buffalo in the Ryan O’Reilly deal in 2018.

Confirmed facts

  • Tage Thompson is married to Rachel Thompson.
  • He has three children: Brooks (2022), Baker (2023), and Indie (2025).
  • His salary is $7.14 million per year from a 7-year extension.
  • His full name is Tage Nathaniel Thompson.
  • He was born on October 30, 1997, in Arizona.
  • He scored 47 goals in the 2022-23 season.

What’s unclear

  • Exact date of Rachel Thompson’s surgery.
  • Specific details on how the couple met (multiple versions exist).
  • Current net worth — estimates vary from $10M to $20M, but no verified figure.
  • Whether the 2022 health issue was specifically a brain aneurysm or chondrosarcoma — NHLPA confirms the latter, but earlier media used different terms.
The upshot

Tage Thompson’s story is one of rare depth: a 6’6″ center who overcame draft-day disappointment, signed a $50M contract, and managed a family medical crisis without losing his footing. For Sabres fans, he represents both the team’s future and a reminder that athletes are human first.

His overtime heroics at the 2025 IIHF World Championship further cemented his reputation as a clutch performer.

Frequently asked questions

Where did Tage Thompson play college hockey?

He played for the University of Connecticut Huskies men’s ice hockey team in the NCAA’s Hockey East conference.

What is Tage Thompson’s NHL draft history?

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

What is Tage Thompson’s career high in goals?

His career high is 47 goals in the 2022-23 season, as recorded by NHL.com (official stats).

How tall is Tage Thompson?

He is 6 feet 6 inches tall (6’6″).

What is Tage Thompson’s net worth?

Exact figures are not publicly confirmed. Based on his $50 million contract and endorsements, estimates generally range between $10 million and $20 million, but no verified source exists.

What injuries has Tage Thompson had?

He has dealt with shoulder and hip injuries, most notably a fractured left collarbone in 2017 and a lower-body issue in 2023-24 that limited him to 61 games.

Does Tage Thompson have any siblings?

Yes. His father Brent Thompson played in the NHL, and he has a brother named Trevor Thompson. Further sibling details are not widely reported.