The Long Island Royals had another 1st round draft pick in the 2016 NHL draft this season. Former 16U player, Tage Thompson ’97 from Oyster Bay was selected 26th overall by the St. Louis Blues.
Tage spent the 2013 Hockey season with Coach Bobby Barbera and the Midget 16U Royals. Tage is currently a freshmen at Hockey East Member UCONN. Thompson, who is the son of former Peoria Rivermen assistant coach Brent Thompson, said he met with the Blues several times prior to tonight's draft."I got a good vibe from them," Thompson said. "I got along with their staff, felt very comfortable and was very happy to hear my name called by them." Thompson, 18, dressed in 36 games during his freshman season at the University of Connecticut in 2015-16, recording 32 points (14 goals and 18 assists).In 2014-15, the 6-foot-5, 194-pound forward appeared in 64 games with the United States National U-18 Team, posting 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) and 32 penalty minutes.
In addition, the Oyster Bay, New York, native dressed in seven games with Team USA at the U-18 World Junior Championships, helping the team capture the Gold Medal. Thompson was ranked 20th among North American skaters by NHL’s Central Scouting.
