Gus Thorp is a 2007-born defenseman for the Buccaneers. In 2024, Thorp committed to Minnesota State University, Mankato, to play NCAA DI men's hockey.
Thorp is from Chippewa Falls, Wis. (pop. 14,656), a town on the Chippewa River near Lake Wissota. Thorp's dad, Bob, has been a volunteer assistant coach for the NCAA DIII men's hockey team at the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, for 17 years and counting, so Thorp grew up around the sport at a collegiate level.
Thorp played youth hockey for the Team Wisconsin AAA club. During his 15U and 16U seasons, he also played full seasons for Chippewa Falls High School. He spent both years as the highest-scoring defenseman on his high school hockey team before transitioning to the USHL.
Des Moines selected Thorp in the 2023 USHL Phase I Draft in the 6th round, 80th overall. He spent the 2023-2024 season as an affiliate player for the Bucs. That year, he tallied 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) in 24 games played as an underclassman at Chippewa Falls High. He came to Des Moines for a few days during the season, getting a small sense of what it was like to be a player in the USHL.
"It has been a lot of fun working with Gus this year," Head Coach and General Manager Matt Curley said. "Despite being a young guy, he has been a vocal leader in the locker room and on the ice, and in doing so, puts his money where his mouth is in regards to work ethic and compete. I don't know if the 'Thorpedo' would be the first guy I'd put over the boards in a shootout, but he is certainly one of my first picks going into battle with."
Since coming to Des Moines, Thorp has proven himself as a critical piece of the team. He brings a level of determination, leadership, and grit on and off the ice that cannot be found anywhere else. His sense of humor and outgoing personality have helped him build close relationships with his teammates and coaches that are sure to continue past his time in the USHL. The Bucs look forward to seeing what Thorp accomplishes the rest of his USHL career and beyond!
