Thompson was a sixth-round draft pick who parlayed grit and perseverance into an NHL career that spanned nearly 20 years. The blue-collar center didn’t score a lot of points but he won the respect of teammates and fans by doing the little things — killing penalties, winning face-offs and working hard. He retired at age 38 in 2023 after 844 regular-season games and 86 Stanley Cup playoff games. He suited up for nine different teams and finished with 65-99 scoring totals and a 52.9 career face-off percentage. Thompson left Anchorage as a 16-year-old to play Tier I major-junior hockey and was 18 when he became the 183rd pick in the 2003 NHL draft. He was 24 before he became a regular player in the NHL, and carved out a career as a fourth-line forward. He played for Team USA at two World Championships, winning a bronze medal at the 2013 tournament.