Back again with another possible 2nd round selection for the Philadelphia Flyers in this year’s NHL Draft. This time we here at Flyers Nitty Gritty turn our focus on a winger: Luke Tuch.
Luke is the younger brother to the Las Vegas Golden Knights forward Alex Tuch, who Luke is lucky enough to get to work out with in the offseason. Learning just how hard he will have to exert himself in order to one day make it to the NHL level. Following in his brother’s footsteps, Luke decided his best route to an NHL career would be to join the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (U.S.N.T.D.P.). This looks like a smart decision, beings that team USA had 10 players selected in the first two rounds of last year’s draft; Seven of which were selected in the top fifteen picks overall. With the National Development Program seemingly becoming a Prospect Powerhouse and/or factory, Luke can rest assured that plenty of NHL scouts were attending his games this season on a nightly basis. And what a show these scouts got indeed: getting the pleasure to attend games where the boys in the Red White and Blue played teams like the University of North Dakota, Univ. of Notre Dame, Univ. of Minnesota, Univ. of Michigan, Univ. of Wisconsin, Univ. of Maine, Providence College, Boston Univ. and Michigan State Univ. With such an impressive list of competitive counterparts, the young man of the U.S.N.T.D.P. are more suited for the tougher competition of the next levels, as opposed to those prospects that play in the CHL against kids as young as 15-years-old.
This season, Tuch played an integral part in the U.S.N.T.D.P.’s offense where he ascended to the role of the teams top power forward. Tuch’s game is one where he is very physical; using his 6’2″ 203 pound frame to: assist him in the boards during fierce puck battles, jockey for possession when he camps out in front of the net (in the offensive zone), and also when he is forechecking and putting pressure on the opposing teams defense- often creating turnovers that turn into quality scoring chances for his team.
Looking at Tuch’s totals from this season: in 66 total games played, he accumulated 23 goals and 21 assists, for 44 points. Luke amassed the same amount of goals as his fellow teammate Thomas Bordeleau (who was supposed to be this year’s Jack Hughes). Tuch may not be flashy, but he is effective. The Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher should spend just a little more time in the video room watching Luke Tuch’s dominance on the ice. The team could sure benefit from the qualities he possesses after just a few seasons at the historic Boston University- where Luke has already committed to play.
