Tage Thompson Exits USA’s Olympic Semifinal for Safety Reasons
During the semifinal of the men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Team USA forward Tage Thompson exited the game against Team Slovakia for safety reasons. This incident occurred after the second period. Despite scoring a goal and assisting another in the first period, Thompson did not return for the third period.
Tage Thompson’s Status and Game Performance
According to reports, Thompson, 28, was seen walking through the corridors of the Milano Santagiulia Arena without his skates. At the time of his departure, Team USA held a commanding lead, outscoring Slovakia 5-0 after two periods. The decision to prioritize Thompson’s safety reflects the team’s confidence as they approached the gold medal game.
Upcoming Gold Medal Game Details
The gold medal match is scheduled for Sunday at 8:10 AM ET. Team USA appears poised for success, largely due to stars like Thompson, who has been pivotal in their offensive strategy.
Tage Thompson’s NHL Background
Thompson, a versatile 6’6″ forward, has made significant strides in the NHL. Currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres, he has garnered impressive statistics:
| Season | Games Played | Goals | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 57 | 30 | 59 |
| 2021-22 | 78 | 38 | 68 |
| 2022-23 | 78 | 47 | 94 |
Career Highlights
Thompson was selected 26th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2016 NHL Draft. He played his initial 41 games with the Blues during the 2017-18 season before being traded to the Sabres in exchange for Ryan O’Reilly, who later won the Stanley Cup with St. Louis.
Over nine NHL seasons, Thompson has played 505 games, achieving 206 goals and 384 points with both the Blues and Sabres. In the current Olympics, he has scored three goals and accumulated four points in five games.
