New Jersey Devils: 5 Prospects Who Can Surprisingly Make Team Next Season
By Nick Villano
Tyce Thompson
Tyce Thompson came out of literally nowhere to become one of the Devils top prospects. Before the NCAA season ended unceremoniously, he was a Hobey Baker Award possibility, the award going to the best college hockey player in the country. However, Providence College’s recent downturn hasn’t helped at all.
The 20 year old has 44 points in 34 games. The 2019 4th-round pick has exceeded expectations on his way to becoming one of the Devils top-ten prospects. He’s tied for third in the country in points, which linemate Jack Dugan leads the league in.
A lot has to go right for Thompson to make the Devils. First, he has to want to leave Providence College. If they were rolling like they were at the beginning of the season, it might be a harder sell, but there’s less reason to feel like they have unfinished business to do. Also, with the season on pause, just like Graeme Clarke, he has less of a chance to prove himself to make the team.
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Thompson has the biggest hill to climb of any of these prospects, but he is 20 years old and may want to move on to professional hockey. He could decide to forego the rest of his NCAA eligibility to learn more in the pros, which includes a stint in the AHL. Thompson still has a lot to go before he’s NHL ready, but who knows what he can do during this break.