Born in Summerside, P.E.I., Thompson excelled with the Halifax Canadians of the NSJHL. He was taken 22nd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 1970 Amateur Draft after a solid year of senior hockey with the Charlottetown Royals. Thompson spent the majority of his first two pro seasons with the CHL's Tulsa Oilers.

The speedy winger scored 13 goals for the weak Maple Leafs in 1972-73. He was a part time player the next season but began to realize his potential with 25 goals in 1974-75. The next season, Thompson scored 43 goals while forming an explosive line with Darryl Siitler and Lanny McDonald. The trio became well known throughout North America after Sittler set an NHL record with ten points in one game on February 7, 1976.

After breaking his arm in 1976-77, Thompson missed one third of the season but still managed 21 goals. The next year he saw less ice time under Roger Neilson and was sent to the Detroit Red Wings for grinder Dan Maloney. Thompson hit the 20-goal mark for Detroit in 1978-79 and notched 34 goals the next season. He split the 1980-81 season between the Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins before retiring.

Courtesy of the Hockey Hall of Fame