Sabres’ Tage Thompson Details How Bridgeport Shaped His Career Amid AHL Relocation

Buffalo Sabres star Tage Thompson reflects on his childhood ties to Bridgeport, growing up around the Islanders organization, and how those early experiences in Bridgeport shaped his NHL journey.

Stefen Rosner, David Kolb, and The Elmonters

Mar 31, 2026

BUFFALO, NY — On Tuesday, the AHL’s Board of Governors approved the New York Islanders’ plan to relocate their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders, to Hamilton, Ontario, beginning in 2026-27.

Bridgeport had been the Islanders’ AHL home for the last 25 years.

For decades, it wasn’t just a development hub for players climbing to the NHL—it was a place where future pros first experienced the game up close.

One of those players was Buffalo Sabers star Tage Thompson, who spent time around the organization as a kid. His father, Brent, served as Bridgeport’s coach for the 2011-12 season. After two seasons as an assistant coach on Jack Capuano’s staff, Thompson returned to Bridgeport’s bench, coaching them from 2014 to 2023.

Those early experiences left a lasting impact on Tage. He spoke exclusively with The Elmonters about it.

Stefen Rosner: Bridgeport is moving to Hamilton, as you probably saw. What did Bridgeport mean to you growing up?

Tage Thompson: “Yeah, I’ve got a lot of good memories. Living down there in Connecticut, my dad coached there for a while. I got to know a lot of the guys who are currently on the Islanders, just being around the locker room. And it’s a really special experience. Not a lot of kids get to do that, hang around the locker room and meet pro hockey players, and just kind of watch them on a day-to-day basis. I have a lot of fond memories of growing up there.”

Stefen Rosner: What about the fan base and that environment?

Tage Thompson: “I mean, I think hockey in general is growing in the States. I think for me, that was a big thing for my brother and me. We really enjoyed going to those games and watching them. And it’s cool. I think when you’re watching some of the AHL games at a young age, you see a lot of players who are young in their careers and end up playing in the NHL. So it’s a cool experience getting to see them. I think that’s what fans enjoy, too, getting to see the prospects, and what they turn into.”

Stefen Rosner: Your brother Tyce got to play in Bridgeport for a little (2023-25). How cool was it to see your brother play for Bridgeport?

Tage Thompson: “He’s a great player. He was in Bridgeport for a little bit. I think that was pretty cool, just for our family. He probably would have liked things to turn out a little bit better there. But, yeah, it’s nice when you’re somewhere that’s familiar.”

Stefen Rosner: You mentioned being around some of those players—were there any guys you looked up to?

Tage Thompson: “I don’t know about mentors. They were a little older than me. I was in my young teens, just kind of wandering around the locker room, probably getting in their way and annoying them. But Matt Martin, Casey Cizikas, and Kyle Okposo, who I got to play with here, which is pretty special — full circle — I got to be around a lot of those guys early on in their careers. John Tavares, too, obviously not when he was in Bridgeport, but just being out here on the island, you get to see a lot of those, those guys that have been here for a while, and it’s pretty cool, especially once you turn pro and start playing against them. You can look back at some of the memories you had just kind of hanging out in the locker room and seeing them and watching what they’re doing.

Stefen Rosner: What kind of leader was Okposo during his time here in Buffalo?

Tage Thompson: “He was awesome. He was the best. Such a good guy, nicest human being, great family. He was the definition of a pro, just doing everything right. I wanted to win so bad for him, and I’m so happy for him that he got to Florida and got the job done there. But, yeah, he was great for me coming in, just trying to work with me, and a lot of stuff just off the ice and just how to prepare for games.”