The Minnesota Wild have signed 2014 first-round pick Alex Tuch to a three-year, entry level contract. The deal will begin in the 2016-17 season.
The 19-year-old made the announcement on Twitter Wednesday.
I am proud to announce that I have signed my first pro contract with the @mnwild. Thanks to my family and everyone who has supported me.
— Alex Tuch (@alextuch89) April 13, 2016
Tuch stands 6-foot-4 and weighs about 220 pounds. He was a standout in his two seasons at Boston College, racking up 34 points, including 18 goals this year. The Eagles were knocked out in the semifinals of the NCAA Frozen Four, when they fell to Quinnipiac 3-2.
As a freshman in 2014-15, Tuch became the first freshman in 42 years to lead the Eagles in scoring with 14 goals and 14 assists.
“He’s a big power winger with quality hands and an NHL shot,” Wild assistant GM Brent Flahr told the Star Tribune. “He had a strong finish to the season and was eager to get his pro career going. We are very excited to have him in the organization and look forward to working with him in his development process.”
If Tuch was eligible to join the Wild for the playoffs, the team might be tempted to use him. Injuries will cause forwards Zach Parise, Thomas Vanek and Erik Haula to miss at least the start of the first round Stanley Cup Playoff series with the Dallas Stars.
While Tuch could practice with the team, he is not eligible to play.
