Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson has shared a rare explanation of why he uses a shorter-than-usual stick. The topic came up again after a clip from Wingmen with Matthew and Brady Tkachuk was posted on X by the show’s official account, showing Thompson talking about his setup.

In a league where most players use longer sticks for reach and puck protection, Thompson chooses a different style. He said he uses a shorter stick because of habits he formed early, because it feels more comfortable. It helps him control the puck better in tight areas.

“I've always been pretty short growing up and felt like usually you have better hands than stick hailing with a smaller stick. And when I hit a growth spurt and got really tall, I just found it uncomfortable using what I would normally use…..”

He said a shorter stick stops him from feeling restricted in close spaces and keeps the puck closer to his body.

“Just felt like I would handcuff myself in tight. So I felt like if I had a shorter stick, I could just get my stick close to my feet, be able to change the angle to shoot and stuff.”

Thompson added that the shorter stick helps him change shooting angles faster, which gives goalies less time to react.

“It’s just a lot greater distance for the goalie to try to change his angle. So I've just found it's a little easier for me to change the angle to shoot.”

Adding to the conversation, Matthew Tkachuk reacted humourously. He said, “F***, Brady, that's the problem for us. That's my problem. I just need to cut my stick down a little bit.”

Thompson’s explanation shows how top players adjust even small equipment details to gain small advantages in shooting and puck control.

Short stick and its effect on the performance of Tage Thompson

Thompson’s stick choice also matches his performance. In the 2025–26 regular season, he played 81 games and scored 81 points with 40 goals, as per NHL Media.

In the playoffs, he added 15 points in 13 games, including 5 goals. These numbers show that his style works well in both regular-season play and pressure playoff games.

Tage Thompson suggests that even a small change like stick length can affect shooting angles and puck control for power forwards in the NHL.

While explaining in the same conversation, the Sabres star also said his long reach makes up for the shorter stick. It lets him pull the puck wide and then shoot quickly.

“I already have naturally a long reach, so it doesn't really matter an inch or two. It's not going to make a difference for protecting pucks, but when I get it inside my feet, if I can put the puck six feet out wide and pull it into my feet to shoot.”

For Buffalo, these small details matter a lot. In a close Eastern Conference race, small advantages can decide playoff spots. Thompson’s approach shows players trying to improve shot speed and deception, even if it goes against traditional coaching ideas.

What do you think? Will more top forwards start using shorter sticks for better control in tight spaces? Let us know in the comments. 

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi