BUFFALO – During their brief time together here, Sabres center Tage Thompson said he looked up to Jack Eichel.
Thompson, 28, is just a year younger than Eichel, who’s now starring for the Vegas Golden Knights. Still, in 2018-19, their only full season as teammates, Eichel was a budding superstar and the face of the franchise. Thompson, meanwhile, was a neophyte simply trying to stick in the NHL.
As a developing power forward, Thompson said he tried to emulate parts of his game after Eichel’s and watch him on and off the ice.
“So it was cool going to the Olympics and kind of going full circle playing with him there,” Thompson said following Monday’s practice.
Thompson and Eichel, of course, will forever be linked together after winning the gold medal last month at the Milano Cortina Games.
The Sabres honored four members of Team USA – Thompson, Eichel, Vegas defenseman Noah Hanifin and Sabres massage therapist Brett Crompton – prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 win against the Golden Knights.
As the four held an American flag, the capacity crowd in KeyBank Center roared and chanted, “USA, USA!”
Thompson’s mother, Kim; wife, Rachel; and sons, Brooks and Baker; joined him on the ice. Brooks dropped the puck for a ceremonial faceoff between Thompson and Eichel.
When the game began, the crowd booed Eichel, who left town on unpleasant terms in 2021, every time he touched the puck.
Skating alongside Eichel in Italy was a special experience for Thompson, who converted one of his friend’s passes for a power-play goal.
“It was kind of cool playing with him, and just picking each other’s brains on different things and on the power play,” Thompson said. “But, yeah, it was definitely unique being back with him and sharing the same ice.”
