Observations:

December 2017 – After being selected in the expansion draft that saw both Alex Tuch and Erik Haula head to Vegas for a conditional 3^rd round pick, Tuch is making the most of his rookie season. Following a brief stint in the AHL where he posted five points in only three games, Tuch was recalled by the Golden Knights where he has provided consistent scoring with a 0.60 points-per-game pace by utilizing his great speed. Tuch is currently on a five-game point streak to start the month of December as Vegas continues their surprising inaugural season.  Mason Black

October 2017 – Alex Tuch scores his first goal in his first NHL game. And a beauty of a goal. Below in the Footage, you can find the highlight reel. Tuch played second line minutes and got powerplay time as the net front presence throughout the game and looked comfortable all night on the wing of Vadim Shipachyov's line Tuch recorded an assist on Shipachyov's first career goal as well. The concern going into the Sunday night game was Tuch would look sluggish, he played the night before in Chicago, travelled and was called up and immediately put into the lineup. Alex looked excited to be in the NHL and showed he deserves the roster spot and a longer stay. In three AHL games, Tuch has scored four goals and an assist. Tuch is showing he deserves a longer stay in the NHL. Paul Zwambag

June 2017 – The Vegas Golden Knights have selected Alex Tuch in the Expansion Draft. Paul Zwambag

February 2016 – After two successful seasons at Boston College, and an excellent half season in Iowa, Tuch finally has cracked the Wild’s lineup. While it’s only been three games, his metrics have looked excellent in a predominantly offensive bottom six role with a 59.7 CF%, and a 64.4 GF% which was far higher than the rest of the team on average over the same period. Hampered by a poor PDO, the results will come for Tuch eventually. He is a prototypical power forward with a great set of wheels which has allowed him to draw three penalties without taking one himself. That is a strategically valuable tool to look for as a coach, and further adds to Tuch’s value. Will Scouch

October 2016 – Alex Tuch has been sent down by the Minnesota Wild. While he’ll be starting the season in Iowa, it’s not unrealistic for him to get called up sooner than later. Edric Joseph

August 2016 – Alex Tuch probably has the best chance of any prospect in the system to make the big club but you wouldn’t know it from how his recent showing at camp. His playmaking vision and execution both seemed lackluster compared to what we’ve come to expect from him. To his credit though he did step up as a leader as well he should have given how much the other skaters seem to look up to him there. He still has a strong chance at cracking the opening-night roster but needs to turn up the volume on his game. Edric Joseph

April 2016 – Tuch has opted to call it a collegiate career and has signed his entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild.  He will show how capable a forechecker and second-chance opportunist he is in short order, however his all-around game will take time to get properly acquainted with the nuances of the professional level. He will likely report to Iowa in the fall. Edric Joseph

March 2016 – In a Hockey East semi-finals matchup against Northeastern University, Alex Tuch exercised commendable poise and competitive spirit. Despite even scoring a goal off of a terrific second-chance opportunity in the third it was not enough as Boston College ended up losing the tilt by a score of five to four. Tuch’s production overall has managed to be maintained rather well with 31 points through 37 games. His attention to detail on in his own zone has shown improvement as he continues to improve his physical play and defensive acumen. Edric Joseph

January 2016 – Despite being snubbed in the recent world junior roster selection, Tuch has put up 19 points in 23 games for Boston College. He still has a ways to go before being an impactful play in fantasy hockey but is certainly giving himself a chance to serve as a favorable partner-in-crime to the likes of Granlund, Koivu or Eriksson Ek when the time comes. His talent is starting to catch up to his physical tools. Edric Joseph

August 2015 – In an unforeseen turn of events, Alex Tuch will not be participating in the USA National Junior Evaluation Camp’s remaining three exhibition games due to a knee injury. While the ailment isn’t believed to be serious, he is out for the time being so as not to aggravate his condition. Even without finishing the evaluation camp the way he hoped, Tuch still has a good case built up for him to make team USA in the fall. Edric Joseph

July 2015 – Though making significant strides through the 2014-2015 season, Alex Tuch will return to Boston College in the fall. He’s gotten bigger and stronger since draft day and hopes to improve his college club’s ranking from last year where they finished having ranked 11^th in the country. It’s refreshing to see him going back to the NCAA fold with purpose and with the invigorating notion that he has unfinished business that needs to be tended to. Edric Joseph

March 2015 – When the time comes, Alex Tuch will make for a nice addition to Minnesota’s top six. Seeing as how they are already making noise in the western conference without him in the fold, they have no reservations about letting him play all the minutes he can handle for Boston College. Through 33 games he is really coming into his own with 28 points through 33 games. Despite showing he can be adept on offense, he has not let his defensive contributions falter, including a plus 13 despite playing the toughest minutes on the team. Despite all this progress, we will likely not see Tuch get a serious look at making the Wild as they have no room for him on a playoff-hopeful team. Edric Joseph

January 2015 – All things considered Alex Tuch underwhelmed at the World Juniors, granted the blame isn’t solely his as the team as a whole left something to be desired. Having previous experience and playing time with the likes of Eichel and Milano. As the tournament progressed, the team took a less and less disciplined approach to the game generating more penalties, especially in the game against the Russians in the elimination rounds thereby cutting back on Tuch’s playing time. Tuch had a more open space to work with on the ice than he’s likely use to due to the bigger names present on the team such as Hanifin, DeAngelo and the aforementioned Eichel among others. Even so, he struggled to make his presence felt. Something pleasing to still see as the tournament progressed was that he still exhibited terrific skating along formidable play along the boards, not backing down despite how tiresome and trying the tournament can be. Potential remains high however the opportunity wasn’t seized this World Junior tournament. The Wild will be glad to continue to watch and wait for Tuch’s game to take flight, understandably so. Edric Joseph

December 2014 – In Alex Tuch, the Minnesota Wild are getting a breath of fresh air with this unconventional power forward. Unlike most young power forwards, Tuch is a terrific skater and made good use of this advantage picking his spots and getting open accordingly when playing alongside the likes of Sonny Milano and Jack Eichel leading up to the 2014 NHL entry draft. Since commencing his NCAA hockey career, Tuch has been off to a good start to show what he can do without the linemates such as the aforementioned top prospects. Despite being a true freshman in the NCAA circuit, Tuch has done an admirable job to make it known that he belongs at this level of competition. While he isn't contributing at the same clip as he was with the US national Under-18 team he has a respectable 12 points through 17 games for hockey powerhouse Boston College. He has yet to throw around his NHL ready frame around like he has in seasons past, but he hasn’t shied away from the task at hand being a terrific leadership presence both on and off the ice

June 2014 – The Minnesota Wild selected Alex Tuch 18^th overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Brendan Ross

February 2014 – Playing out of the US National Program, Tuch is a big robust winger who wreaks havoc by using his strength and size to wear down opponents. He is a rising prospect after a strong first half to his draft season and scouts are beginning to fancy his pro potential. Success has come from his competitive nature and ability to compliment his line mates by playing true to his brand of hockey – winning puck battles and dominating possession. Brendan Ross

 Fantasy Outlook: A-

Now that he’s cracked the roster and looks like he’s here to stay long term, a more regular role next season will test him, but it’s pretty clear that he’s ready for an NHL job full time. He’d be a good pickup in later rounds of keeper leagues as an all-around depth power winger.

Footage:

Alex Tuch's first goal of his career.

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Alex Tuch featured in the USA U17 NTDP 2012-13 Highlight Video:

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