In what is arguably the best recruiting class in school history, one player continues to fly under the radar.
While three classmates are draft picks, including first rounder Jay O’Brien (Hingham, Mass.), Tyce Thompson has been perhaps the most pleasant surprise for Providence College.
Thompson, from Milford, Conn., has four assists, all coming in the No. 3 Friars’ two Hockey East games. While Thompson’s hot start might be a shock to some, it didn't catch Providence head coach Nate Leaman off guard.
“When we started skating, we noticed he’s a coaches kid," Leaman said. "He knows how to compete. He knows how to play in every situation. He’s 6-foot-1 and a half, he’s a good skater and he’s got a really good stick. There’s no blaring weakness in his game and he’s got the smarts to go with it.”
Thompson committed to the Friars just before his first of two seasons at Salisbury School, a perennial prep powerhouse in Connecticut. He went undrafted in his first two years of eligibility for the NHL Draft, his second coming last year with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints.
“He played on Dubuque’s third and fourth line last year," Leaman said. "We went out and watched him and thought this kid is good. We really liked him."
With the draft trending older in recent years, Thompson could be plucked off the board by an organization in next June’s draft in Vancouver. Through just six games, Thompson has a strong advocate in Leaman.
“The sky is the limit," Leaman said. "He’s way overlooked. He probably won’t be for long. There’s a lot there. He’s making plays. He’s making a lot of strong plays with the puck."
While adjusting to college hockey presents challenges on and off the ice, Thompson has nicely settled into life in Rhode Island's capital city.
"We have a lot of resources here that help between our academic department, coaches and upperclassmen," Thompson said. "It’s been a pretty easy transition. School has been tough and obviously hockey is another level from what I played last year, but I feel I’ve been handling everything pretty well.”
Thompson credits his strong play from having confidence and making the most of his of chances.
“Coming in, coach gave me an opportunity," Thompson said. "I know I’m capable of producing at this level. Obviously I haven’t scored yet, but creating offense and being reliable on both sides of the ice is a big part of it. Knowing coach believes in you and gives you an opportunity, you just have to take advantage of it."
When watching Thompson play, it’s evident that his top attribute is his hockey sense. While his skating is good, he simply knows where to go and where to be on both sides of the ice.
"I create offense," Thompson said, "but I also want to be reliable in the D zone."
Thompson’s preparedness for playing college hockey comes from having a supportive family that has experienced playing at a high level. His father, Brent Thompson, is a former pro player who's now the head coach of the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the top affiliate of the New York Islanders. His brother, Tage Thompson, played at UConn for two seasons and is now with the Buffalo Sabres.
“They tell me to work hard everyday and not take a day off," Thompson said. "Whenever you get an opportunity, you have to take advantage of it. They stress competing and working hard. If you do that, everything else will take care of itself."
Thompson’s work ethic and desire to be the best carries over to the expectations he has for his team and himself. He believes this year’s version of the Friars can repeat 2015 and win the national championship.
"I don’t see why we shouldn’t make the Frozen Four and win it," Thompson said. "I think we have a deep team. I came to Providence, ultimately, because I want to win. I feel like we have a very strong team to do that. It’s a very attainable goal."
As Leaman said, the sky is the limit. For both the Friars and Thompson.
