Tage Thompson is an Olympic gold medalist.
Thompson and Team USA won a thrilling 2-1 decision over rival Canada in the gold medal game at the Olympic Winter Games in Milan, Italy on Sunday. Jack Hughes scored the golden goal at the 1:41 mark of the 3-on-3 overtime period.
Thompson skated 10:02 with four shots against Canada. He finished the tournament tied for second on Team USA with three goals in six games.
The gold medal is Team USA’s first at the Olympics since the “Miracle on Ice” team of 1980 and first ever in an Olympics that featured NHL players.
The medal culminates a year-long journey for Thompson that began when he was left off the U.S. roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off last February. Team USA lost the championship game to Canada in that tournament while Thompson – who had made the last-minute trip to Boston to serve as an emergency replacement player – watched from the press box.
With a shot at the Olympics in the back of his mind, Thompson represented the United States at the IIHF World Championship last May and scored the overtime, tournament-winning goal to claim Team USA’s first gold medal at the event since 1933.
Thompson sealed his spot on the Olympic roster with a strong first half of 2025-26 for Buffalo, with a team-best 30 goals and 59 points in 57 games. His 25 even-strength goals are tied for second in the NHL behind Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon.
Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves for the United States, who led 1-0 early following a highlight-reel goal from forward Matthew Boldy. Cale Makar scored the tying goal for Canada late in the second period.
Hughes scored the winner on a feed from defenseman Zach Werenski, who raced down the ice and knocked MacKinnon off the puck before passing to Hughes across the Canada net.
Thompson was one of two Sabres players participating in The Winter Olympics along with Rasmus Dahlin, who had five points in five games for Sweden.
