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). Selected 96th overall in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, he began his professional career in 2021 after completing his junior season at Providence College. His rights were later traded to the New York Islanders in November 2023, and in August 2025 he signed his first contract abroad with Barys Astana.
Standing 185 cm tall and weighing 78 kg, Thompson is recognized as a dependable two-way center whose path through junior and college hockey shaped his transition to the professional ranks.
Early Life and Background
Tyce Thompson was born on July 12, 1999, in Oyster Bay, New York. He grew up in a household steeped in professional hockey, as his father, Brent Thompson, is a former NHL player who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks. Tyce also has a brother, Tage Thompson, who plays in the NHL with the Buffalo Sabres, making the Thompson family one of the more recognizable hockey families in the sport.
Thompson attended the Salisbury School, a well-known preparatory school in Connecticut with a strong hockey tradition. During his time at Salisbury, he won two New England Championships, establishing himself as a reliable and competitive forward at the prep school level.
Path to Hockey
Following his success at Salisbury, Thompson continued his development at Providence College, where he played NCAA Division I hockey for the Providence Friars. Over three seasons with the program, he developed the defensive responsibility and faceoff reliability that have come to define his professional profile.
His play in the Hockey East conference drew the attention of NHL scouts, and on the strength of his college production he was selected by the New Jersey Devils with the 96th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
Tyce Thompson Career
Early Career (2021)
On March 24, 2021, Thompson concluded his collegiate career after his junior season and signed his first professional contract with the New Jersey Devils, agreeing to a two-year, entry-level deal. He was immediately added to the NHL roster and made his professional debut on April 6, 2021, against the Buffalo Sabres. In that game, he faced his older brother Tage and registered his first career assist and point in a 5–3 loss.
Thompson appeared in seven NHL games during the shortened 2020–21 season, spending the majority of his time with the Binghamton Devils, New Jersey’s American Hockey League affiliate.
AHL Development Years (2021–2023)
For the bulk of the 2021–22 and 2022–23 campaigns, Thompson was assigned to the Utica Comets, the Devils’ relocated AHL affiliate. He appeared in two NHL games during each of those seasons while continuing to log significant minutes at the AHL level, where he refined his game as a reliable two-way center.
New York Islanders Organization (2023–2025)
Thompson did not appear in any NHL games during the 2023–24 season after being traded to the New York Islanders on November 26, 2023, in exchange for Arnaud Durandeau. The Islanders immediately assigned him to the Bridgeport Islanders, their AHL affiliate, where he played out the 2024–25 season. Over two seasons in the Islanders organization, he continued to work on his offensive consistency and defensive zone play.
Barys Astana Era (2025–Present)
After leaving the Islanders organization, Thompson opted to pursue his first opportunity abroad. On August 20, 2025, he signed a one-year contract with Barys Astana, a Kazakhstan-based club competing in the Kontinental Hockey League. The move marked his first professional chapter outside North America.
Playing Style and Strengths
Thompson is regarded as a dependable two-way center, valued for his faceoff reliability, responsible defensive positioning, and work ethic. His game is built on hockey IQ and reliability rather than top-end scoring, making him a steady depth and penalty-killing option at the professional level.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable early moments of Thompson’s career came on April 6, 2021, when he made his NHL debut against his brother Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres and recorded his first career point. His selection by New Jersey in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft and his subsequent trade to the Islanders organization in 2023 stand as the defining off-ice milestones of his professional journey so far.
Tyce Thompson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Hockey runs deep in the Thompson family. Tyce’s father, Brent Thompson, is a former NHL player who currently serves as an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks, providing Tyce with a direct link to the professional game throughout his upbringing. His brother, Tage Thompson, is an established NHL forward with the Buffalo Sabres.
Personal Life
Thompson is an American citizen who was raised in Oyster Bay, New York. He completed his high school education at the Salisbury School before attending Providence College, where he played three seasons of collegiate hockey before turning professional.
2025 Season Performance
Thompson joined Barys Astana of the KHL ahead of the 2025–26 season after signing a one-year contract on August 20, 2025. The move represents his first professional stint outside North America following two seasons within the New York Islanders organization.
At Barys Astana, Thompson is expected to compete for a role as a reliable two-way center, bringing the defensive responsibility and faceoff reliability he developed across the AHL. His contract with the club runs through the 2025–26 season, giving him a full campaign to establish himself in one of Europe’s top professional leagues.