Before the Buffalo Sabres face off against the Vegas Golden Knights Tuesday, the team will honor forward Tage Thompson, who won a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics in Milan.

After practice Monday, Thompson said he will have his USA teammates, Golden Knights center Jack Eichel and defenseman Noah Hanifin, be part of the ceremony.

Eichel requesting a trade from Buffalo and comments on the arena’s atmosphere after his first game back in 2021 have led to some fans souring on the former Sabres star. Audible, game-long jeers have become typical when Eichel hits the ice each time Vegas plays in Buffalo. 

Thompson, however, hopes for a positive reaction Tuesday night.

“I think we did something great for this country. I know he gave everything he had to this organization when he was here,” Thompson said. “Obviously, it didn’t end the way anyone wanted it to. But, with that being said, he put everything he had into this city and he put everything he had into that USA team. He wore the crest proudly. So, I would hope it would be a really good reaction for him and Noah.

“…It’s about the team, it’s not about one individual. You don’t get to accomplish what we did by just one person. It takes everybody, not just the players, the staff included … it’s important, I think, to include everyone involved on that team because that is why we won.”

Thompson, Eichel and Hanifin helped U.S. men’s hockey win gold for the first time in 46 years.

Every fan in attendance will receive a rally towel honoring Thompson’s accomplishment.

Riding a three-game win streak coming off the Olympic break, the Sabres now sit in second place in the Atlantic Division.