Ht/Wt: 6' 3"/213 lbs
Position: C/RW
Team: USA (NTDP-18)

Alex Tuch's Player Profile

Alex Tuch has made leaps and bounds in terms of his development in his Draft year. A previous 101 point player in a 40 game season with the Syracuse Stars of the EmJHL, even as a 15-year-old he had a knack for scoring.

Though, he did have a bit of an advantage... seeing as he would have sized up at around 6'0-6'2. He is now a whopping 6'3.5" and 213lbs.

He controls his size exceedingly well, he skates with an edge and always reads the play seconds before it happens. He protects the puck like a fortress, there is no way anybody will be able to touch the puck or take it off his stick without being barreled over.

He is a very smart hockey player - dare I say genius? He has the NHL-level Ice-Q that scouts drool over. He makes miraculous passes in the slot, and knows exactly where his line-mates are and will be by the time the puck is off his stick.

He has a laser of a slapshot, and a quick, accurate wrister that he gets off mid-stride. He is always able to find the net below the blue line, and is even able to man the point on the powerplay. He is strong on the forecheck and leads the way by breaking through the defense using his sneakily swift strides. Or just plain, flat-out levelling those in his way.

For a player of his stature, you wouldn't expect a speedster. To no avail, Alex Tuch is no speedster, but he is an excellent skater for his size, and can jump into the play as well as any 5'10 dynamo. He has a very commanding stride which he uses to send puck-carriers flying.

He has, in fact, hands as smooth as butter and as quick as any other player in his class. He has worked on his hands mainly to make sure that he can protect the puck and deke around defenders.

He is one of the most mature players in the draft, he isn't looking to shine in the spotlight, but he wears his heart up on his sleeve for the team. He will get the job done anywhere and looks out for his teammates. Not to mention his personality as a leader and as someone who even coaches a youth hockey team, he is character personified.

This combination of skill, maturity, hockey IQ, hands, speed, patience, and size makes the Boston College-bound prospect one of the most complete players in this year's draft class - not to mention coveted by 30 teams in a league called the NHL.

He plays the power-forward role, but he will be much more than that. He plays the playmaker, he plays the sniper, he plays the agitator - he logs big minutes because his coaches trust him so much. He leads the way into battle, and when he gets on his horse... you don't want to be skating in his way.

Predicted draft position: 7 - 15.
He will not drop lower than that, unless teams see reason to pass him up. I see no reason he should drop lower than 15. The team that takes a chance on him will not be disappointed.

Comparisons:
1. Uniquely gifted forward who physically supports his line-mates: Jordan Staal.
2. Big, grueling leader who rips it up offensively: Joe Thornton.
3. Large, intelligent, two-way offensive juggernaut: Anze Kopitar.
4. Hard-hitting power-forward who can do it all: David Backes.
5. Leads by example, on and off the ice: Ryan Getzlaf.
Profile from: Curtis Joe - Apr. 8th

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.
Profile from: Brendan Ross of Dobber Prospects - Feb. 21st

@IssHockey - "Absolutely dominated at U18 4-Nations w/ 3G 3A in 3GP. Big & strong PWF who can do it all." - Dec. 8th, 2013



@ISSHockey - Powerful stride & size to dominate puck possession. Strong offensive presence & tools.

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Alex Tuch Videos

Team USA forwards Alex Tuch and Dylan Larkin score goals just six seconds apart


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