Recently recalled forward Alex Tuch is expected to make his NHL debut tonight in Vancouver. Tuch is a former first-round pick by the Wild who has tons of potential.
After two successful years with Boston College, Tuch decided to turn pro this summer. He turned some heads in training camp as the 20-year-old was one of the last cuts during the Wild’s preseason.
Tuch registered 11 goals and 11 assists in 34 games in Iowa this season.
According to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, Tuch skated on the Wild’s top line with Eric Staal and Zach Parise at practice on Friday.
Which is a good indication of where he’ll be playing when the Wild and Canucks drop the puck on Saturday.
Tuch’s call up is also a wakeup call to struggling forward Charlie Coyle. Coyle started the year on the Wild’s top line and was red-hot. However Coyle has scored just 1 goal since Dec. 27.
Head coach Bruce Boudreau demoted Coyle to the fourth line at practice on Friday and also took him off the team’s top power play unit.
Tuch will wear No. 53.
