Tyce Thompson is a center for the Utica Comets. He was selected in the 4th round of the 2019 draft, and has currently played in 9 games, registering one assist. Today, he sat down with 2aDays to discuss recruiting, professional hockey, and more
Q: What was the recruiting process like when you were going through it?
A: The recruiting process is long. It can start at any point for any player–some earlier than others. For me, I first started getting recruited to prep schools when I was 14-15. Around this time, I was starting to gain college interest. I decided to go to Salisbury school and commit to Providence College all around the same time. I was 15 turning 16.
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As far as getting scouted or noticed for the NHL, that took some time for me. I ended up getting hurt my draft year. I tore my quad and missed 5 months. There was some interest in the draft from NHL teams, but nothing crazy. I ended up not getting drafted and went on to play my senior year of high school in Dubuque, Iowa in the USHL (my second eligible draft year). I had an okay year, but not too much more interest grew from NHL teams. I again wasn't drafted and now was going into college for my freshman year. This was my last chance and 3rd year eligible for the draft. At that point it's kinda rare to get drafted as an over ager so I didn't think too much about it.
Q: So, you're going into your third and final year of potentially getting drafted. How did the rest play out for you?
A: I ended up having some success my freshman year [at Providence] and was fortunate to gain interest from lots more teams. In the end I was drafted to NJ. It's a long process but I definitely learned a lot going through it all since I was 15.
Q: That's really a tell-tale story. What do you think really led you to the NHL or rather where do you accredit your success in getting to that level?
A: As far as any of my success goes and making it to the NHL I owe a lot of that to God and my family. I have been blessed to have the opportunities to do what I love and be put in the best situations to succeed and achieve my dream of playing in the NHL. My dad played and also coached, so he was always helping me whether it was advice before or after games, what to do, what not to do, working on my game with me on the ice, etc. Countless hours were put in by him to help me because he knew that's what I wanted to do.
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My mom put in endless time to help, but in a different way. My mom is definitely one of a kind. With both my brother and me playing competitive hockey, and my dad constantly on the road for work, she had a full plate on her hands. She would drive hours and hours and spend lots of money staying in hotels, sending my brother or me with a teammate to another tournament 3 or 4 hours away.
My brother is also a huge factor in my success. He is 2 years older so I wanted to be just like him. I grew up attached to him at the hip. He pushed me to be better and try to get to where he was. I wanted to be better than him and do what he did. So his work ethic and approach to everything had a major influence on me. All in all, my family was a key factor to any success I have had or will have in the future. I do like to think I was also a very dedicated and hard working person that wanted to be the best and wasn't going to let anything stand in the way of me making it to the NHL. I'm very grateful for the blessings in my life and for everything my family has done for me!
Q: What do you think it takes to become a professional athlete nowadays?
A: It's not easy to be a professional athlete. I think you have to be very self determined, disciplined, and actually truly love what you are doing. That's probably the biggest thing. If you don't love hockey, you won't make it. You have to love it because waking up early for practices or workouts, getting banged up on the ice, being out for 5 months for an injury, not being able to go to the typical social events in high school or whatever all the time cause you have hockey…It can be tough sometimes but if you truly love it then you will be driven to do it and I think that's the biggest thing. You need to have the discipline to treat your body right, commit to working hard, and just doing everything that will give you the best chance.
Q: What tips do you have for athletes now during the recruiting process or who are trying to go professional in their sport?
A: The biggest advice I can give is to enjoy every moment where you are now. Don't look ahead or what someone else is doing. Focus on yourself and getting better everyday. There is no rush. My brother turned pro at 19, I turned pro at 21, and some guys turned pro at 24 or 25–it's all different for everyone. Focus on what you can control and be the best player and person you can be everyday, don't rush.
The other thing that I feel is very important that happens all the time is to go where you are going to play. A lot of kids want to go to their “dream school”, or the “best” program, but if you're not going to play there, you are wasting your time. You need to play to be noticed. Sometimes you may have to go help a lesser program by being the top guy there and trying to turn that program into a winning program
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* Originally published on December 15, 2022, by Nicholas Nathanson
