Alex Tuch’s World Juniors Championship After Two Games
There is not much Minnesota Wild representation at the World Juniors. But the Wild’s 18th overall draft selection in 2014, Alex Tuch, is playing an important role for the United States.
Through two games, Tuch has a goal and an assist. He scored a power play goal early against Finland in the States’ first preliminary game, a 2-1 US shootout win.
Against Germany Sunday night, in their second game, he added a secondary assist on a Jack Eichel tally 14:09 into the third period. He has been playing on a line with Eichel and Sonny Milano primarily. The trio has a history of playing together on the United States National Development Team.
More from International Tournaments
- Let’s Check in on the Minnesota Wild Prospects in the WJC
- Minnesota Wild: No draft picks represented at World Juniors this year
- Team Europe One of the Best Hockey Stories in Years
- Team Europe Shocks the World and Makes World Cup Final
- Minnesota Wild: Team Europe and Niederreiter Roll to the Semis
Tuch has also been seeing a lot of power play time. While on the man advantage, he has been positioning his six-foot-three, 213-pound frame at the top of the crease, screening the goalie. When the puck works its way down low to the goal line, he has drifted higher into the slot, looking for a one-timer chance.
Eighteen-year old Tuch has a shooting mentality, as he threw five shots on goal against Germany. In the first period, he was particularly active on the ice. He was using his size effectively, and creating havoc around the net.
Playing with Milano, drafted 16th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets this year, and Eichel, who is expected to be one of the first two players selected at this year’s National Hockey League Entry Draft (along with Canadian Connor McDavid), will continue to give him lots of offensive opportunity should the line remain intact.
There are two more preliminary games for the US. They play Slovakia (1-1-0) Monday at 3pm CST, and go up against Canada (2-0-0) for the perennial New Year’s Eve match Wednesday also at 3pm CST.
Wednesday’s game against Canada should be exciting, as Eichel and McDavid face off.