Minnesota Wild: Alex Tuch Ready to Deliver

The Minnesota Wild have had issues in drafting forwards in the last couple of years. With a few complete busts the Wild are banking that 2014 first round pick and recent signee Alex Tuch will reverse that trend.

The Minnesota Wild had a great draft in 2010. The list of forwards they brought in was impressive as it included Mikael Granlund, Jason Zucker, and Johan Larsson. However, the next year in 2011 was not kind to them as the Wild ended up wasting a first round pick on the underachieving Zack Phillips, and then in 2012 had the same issue again as their second round pick was wasted on Raphael Bussieres. It can be said that since the 2010 draft class the Wild have failed to produce a completely homegrown forward from draft to NHL.

Things might be looking up on that front finally. In 2014 the Wild took a big step forward to making that a reality as they drafted a young strong forward from New York named Alex Tuch. Tuch like many of the great American born players today is a product of the US National Development Team and continues to show the impact of developing talent early before they hit the NCAA or Junior ranks.

In his second year with the NTDP he would finish third in scoring with 32 points (13 goals and 19 assists) behind former number two overall pick Jack Eichel and former sixteenth overall pick Sonny Milano in route to a U18 World Championship.

From the beginning it was obvious that Tuch was a power forward with a strong two-way game. It’s also been said that Tuch boasts great stickhandling and a “first rate” shot. Also he moves his 220 pound frame very well and uses his size to make plays happen. After his performance at that Worlds the Wild decided they would make Tuch their first round selection at 18th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft.

Apr 7, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Boston College Eagles forward Alex Tuch (12) and teammates react as they lose to the Quinnipiac Bobcats during the semifinals of the 2016 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Amalie Arena. Quinnipiac Bobcats defeated the Boston College Eagles 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The expectations for Tuch were huge right away. The busts of Phillips and Bussieres were looming large and the Wild were looking to make sure that they didn’t make another huge mistake. So when Tuch started his freshman year at Boston College he had the eyes of the Wild faithful upon him in addition to the zealous BC fans, he rose to the occasion and led the Eagles in scoring with 28 points (14 goals and 14 assists) and leading them to a NCAA tourney appearance.