The Buffalo Sabres were shut out for players being selected for Team Canada’s orientation camp for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, Italy next February, but that was not the case on Tuesday, as two Sabres forwards were invited to Team USA’s orientation camp being held on August 26-27 in Plymouth, MI.
Center/winger Tage Thompson and winger Alex Tuch were among 44 players invited to camp. That roster will be whittled down to 25 players, instead of the 23-player rosters that were selected for the NHL Four Nations Face-Off earlier this year. Thompson, 27, had a bounce-back season with 44 goals last season after an injury-plagued year where he declined from a career-high 47 goals in 2023 to 29. Tuch tied a career-high with 36 goals last season.
Other Sabres Stories
Byram Situation Leaves Sabres In Limbo
Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere
The chance of Thompson making the club improved dramatically with his excellent performance for the Americans at the World Championships in May, where he scored the tournament-winning goal in overtime to defeat Switzerland. Tuch also has a chance to make the club, with his size, scoring ability, and versatility, but will likely need to have another good season to stay on USA Hockey’s radar.
Former Sabre team captain Jack Eichel was named as one of the six guaranteed players to go to Italy next year, along with forwards Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, and defenseman Quinn Hughes. Buffalo native Patrick Kane was invited to camp, but has to be considered a long shot with his age and the expectation that the tournament will be rough and tumble like the Four Nations Face-Off.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo