Tyce Thompson Bio
Tyce Thompson (born July 12, 1999) is an American professional ice hockey center who currently plays for Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). A right-handed shooter listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 194 pounds, Thompson was selected 96th overall in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. After spending the early portion of his career within the Devils organization, his rights were traded to the New York Islanders in November 2023, and he later signed his first contract abroad with Barys Astana in August 2025.
Thompson turned professional in 2021 after a decorated junior and collegiate career, and has since developed his game across the American Hockey League (AHL) and at the NHL level. His path through the sport has been shaped by a strong hockey family, including his father Brent Thompson and his brother Tage Thompson, both of whom have competed at the highest levels of the game.
Early Life and Background
Tyce Thompson was born on July 12, 1999, in Oyster Bay, New York, in the United States. He grew up in a household rooted in professional hockey, which gave him early and consistent exposure to the demands of the sport. His father, Brent Thompson, is a Canadian former NHL player who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks, providing Tyce with direct insight into what it takes to compete at the top level.
Thompson is the brother of Tage Thompson, who plays in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres, further reinforcing the family’s deep connection to the game. He attended the Salisbury School, a preparatory school known for its competitive hockey program, where he won two New England Championships during his time with the team. These early accomplishments helped establish him as a promising prospect heading into his college years.
Path to Hockey
Following his successful run at Salisbury, Thompson continued his hockey development at Providence College, where he played NCAA Division I hockey for the Friars. His performance at the collegiate level drew the attention of NHL scouts, and on June 22, 2019, he was selected 96th overall in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. The draft selection confirmed his standing as one of the notable prospects emerging from the U.S. college hockey pipeline.
Thompson played three seasons at Providence College, refining his two-way game and continuing to build the size and skating ability that defined his reputation as a centerman. On March 24, 2021, after his junior year, he chose to conclude his collegiate career and signed his first professional contract with the Devils, a two-year entry-level deal that officially launched his professional career.
Tyce Thompson Career
Early Career (2021)
Thompson signed his entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils on March 24, 2021, and was immediately added to the NHL roster. Just two weeks later, on April 6, 2021, he made his professional and NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres in a game that carried personal significance, as it placed him on the same ice as his brother, Tage Thompson. In that 5–3 loss, Tyce registered his first career assist, earning his first NHL point in the process.
During the shortened 2020–21 season, Thompson appeared in seven NHL games with the Devils while spending the majority of his time with the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Binghamton Devils. The split assignment allowed him to adjust to the professional pace while continuing to log meaningful minutes in the American Hockey League, where he could build his confidence against veteran competition.
AHL Development and NHL Appearances (2021–2023)
For most of the 2021–22 and 2022–23 seasons, Thompson remained in the AHL, playing for the Utica Comets after the franchise relocated from Binghamton. Across those two campaigns, he continued to develop his game as a responsible two-way center, while also receiving brief NHL call-ups. He appeared in two NHL games during the 2021–22 season and two more during the 2022–23 season, gaining limited but valuable experience at the top level.
Thompson did not appear in any NHL games during the 2023–24 season. On November 26, 2023, his rights were traded to the New York Islanders in exchange for Arnaud Durandeau, signaling a fresh start in a new organization. The Islanders immediately assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders, where he would spend the next two seasons continuing his development.
Bridgeport Islanders Era (2023–2025)
After joining the Islanders organization in late 2023, Thompson was assigned to the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL, where he played out the remainder of the 2023–24 season. He returned to Bridgeport for the 2024–25 AHL season, maintaining a consistent role within the team’s forward group and continuing to refine the details of his professional game while waiting for another NHL opportunity.
During his time in the Islanders system, Thompson worked to establish himself as a reliable depth center capable of contributing at both ends of the ice. Although he did not earn an NHL recall during this period, his steady presence in Bridgeport allowed him to remain prepared for a return to the highest level of professional hockey.
Barys Astana Era (2025–Present)
On August 20, 2025, Thompson signed his first contract abroad, agreeing to a one-year deal with Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League in Kazakhstan. The move represented his first opportunity outside of North American professional hockey and reflected his willingness to pursue new challenges as he entered the next phase of his career.
Thompson’s transition to the KHL gave him the chance to test his skills in a different league and a different hockey culture. His early appearances with Barys Astana marked a notable step in his professional journey, expanding his resume beyond the NHL and AHL structure he had known since turning pro in 2021.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Thompson’s career came on April 6, 2021, when he made his NHL debut against the Buffalo Sabres and faced his brother, Tage Thompson, on the opposing bench. Recording his first NHL assist in that same game added another layer to an already memorable night. The trade to the New York Islanders in November 2023 and his subsequent signing with Barys Astana in August 2025 also stand as key milestones that have shaped his professional trajectory.
Tyce Thompson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Tyce Thompson comes from a prominent hockey family with direct ties to the NHL. His father, Brent Thompson, is a Canadian former NHL player who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks, giving Tyce a constant connection to high-level coaching insight. His brother, Tage Thompson, is an established NHL center for the Buffalo Sabres, making the Thompsons one of the more recognizable hockey families connected to Long Island.
Personal Life
Thompson was raised in Oyster Bay, New York, and pursued his education at the Salisbury School before attending Providence College. He has built his professional career around the demands of the sport while maintaining close ties to his family, whose ongoing involvement in hockey continues to influence his development as a player.
2025 Season Performance
Thompson’s 2025 storyline began with the conclusion of his time in the New York Islanders organization after two seasons in the system. His decision to sign a one-year contract with Barys Astana on August 20, 2025, marked a significant shift, as he embarked on his first season outside North America and adjusted to the style and travel demands of the KHL.
Throughout the season, Thompson has worked to establish himself as a dependable two-way center within a new team and a new league. His familiarity with North American systems, combined with his AHL experience, has provided a foundation for adapting to the international game. The 2025 campaign represents an opportunity to showcase his skills on a broader stage while continuing to build toward a potential return to North American hockey.
Looking ahead, Thompson’s performance with Barys Astana will be closely watched as he seeks to prove he can produce at a high level abroad. His blend of size, skating, and hockey IQ, shaped by years in competitive development systems, positions him as a player capable of making an impact in the KHL while keeping his NHL ambitions within reach.