Nate Thompson’s relationships explored as Kristin Cavallari opens up about dating the NHL player

TV personality Kristin Cavallari revealed that she had been dating former National Hockey League (NHL) player, Nate Thompson, in an episode of Let's Be Honest podcast on April 1, according to Eonline.

This is not the first time that Cavallari has hinted that she has been romantically involved with a hockey player. According to a report by People magazine, Cavallari, while speaking to Bunnie Xo on his podcast Dumb Blonde in December 2024, had shared that she was dating a retired hockey player who was a really good guy. Cavallari had refrained from naming Nate Thompson as the sportsperson in question at the time.

However, during the April 1, 2025, episode of her podcast, Let’s Be Honest, Cavallari revealed that the previously unnamed hockey player in her life was Nate Thompson. She opened up about her relationship with Thompson, and said:

“He’s a father and has invested considerable effort into personal growth. We connected on such a deep level. It was one of the more meaningful relationships I've experienced, especially considering the limited time we spent together.”

Although Cavallari had great things to say about Nate Thompson, she was also quick to clarify that the former NHL player was never her boyfriend, and that they had merely dated. The television personality pointed out:

"I didn't view him as a boyfriend, but rather as someone I have dated.”

Incidentally, after she made details of her time with the NHL player public, Nate Thompson has also opened up about dating Kristin Cavallari. Thompson, while speaking on the podcast, Energy Line with Nate and JSB, said:

“I knew it was only a matter of time before things became public — that’s her world, that’s what she does… her podcast, obviously, as you know, is pretty big, and she talks about her relationships, so I knew it was probably gonna come out eventually.”

Thompson did not seem to be too enthusiastic to open up about his short-lived romantic involvement with Cavallari, or the fact that it had become public. However, the former NHL player spoke with admiration about Cavallari. He said:

“She is a cool person… life is gonna life and it just did not work out”

Thompson, too, was quick to point out that Cavallari was never his girlfriend. In the same vein, while speaking about Nate Thompson on her podcast, Cavallari had shared:

“That attraction piece for me has to be so on fire for me to want to be with someone… This guy is a perfect example of that, where I’m like, ‘Why can’t I fall in love with you?’ If I could choose who I want to fall in love with, I would pick you because you’re such an amazing guy and we are firing on all other cylinders.”

The TV personality, who is also a fashion designer and is aged 38, is a mother of three children, and she shares the custody of her kids with her ex-husband, former professional American football quarterback, Jay Cutler.

Cavallari and Cutler were married from 2013 to 2022. During her podcast, Cavallari mentioned that she plans to focus on raising her three children while maintaining her professional life. She hinted that dating was not her priority at this point.

Nate Thompson, on the other hand, has been married twice, and has two children from his previous relationships.

Nate Thompson’s relationships, explored

Cristin Stuart: Nate Thompson’s first marriage was with Cristin Stuart in 2013. Stuart was a hockey player who represented the women's ice hockey team of Boston College Eagles, as per the website of Boston College Athletics.

Thompson and Stuart welcomed their child, Teague, in 2015, according to NHL.com. However, the marriage ended around the same period, as per Hollywood Life.

Sydney Kaplan: Nate Thompson's second marriage was with Sydney Kaplan in 2018. According to Wedding Style magazine, the couple met at a mutual friend’s party, and connected over interactions that drew them close to each other. However, they did not start dating immediately because Kaplan was reportedly involved with someone at that point of time.

Within three months of their first meeting, the couple met again, this time at a group date, as per the same outlet. Thompson was not aware that Kaplan, too, would be present at the group date, the outlet mentions.

The report in Wedding Style Magazine also says that the couple hit it off well after their second meeting, following which they began dating. Shortly after meeting at the group date event, Thompson and Kaplan started living together.

As per the magazine, Thompson’s parents helped the ice hockey star arrange a surprise marriage proposal for Kaplan in Hawaii, in 2017, She accepted, and a year later the couple got married in California.

Thompson and Kaplan, however, decided to part ways in 2020 and filed for divorce. Their divorce was granted in 2021, as per UniCourt.

Sonni Pacheco: After his divorce with Kaplan, Thompson was romantically linked to Sonni Pacheco, a model who had also tried sculpture and was previously married to actor Jeremy Renner. Nate Thompson and Sonny Pacheco welcomed a baby girl on March 21, 2023, whom they named Wylder Rayne.

About Nate Thompson’s retirement

In July 2023, after playing 15 seasons in the NHL for nine different teams, Thompson announced his retirement from professional hockey. He made the announcement during an episode of The Empty Netters podcast, and later also revealed his decision to retire on social media for his fans. Thompson’s post on X read:

“From the time I was 4 until 38 hockey has been my life and best friend. I’m beyond grateful and thankful for all the great people I’ve met and friendships I’ve made. All good things must come to an end so thank you to all who supported me along this journey.”

After his retirement as a professional ice hockey player, Thompson transitioned into a skills coach. He currently works for the American Hockey League (AHL) team, Ontario Reign.