Canadiens prospect Luke Tuch joins Laval Rocket for post-season push

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Energy ahead may play in group’s closing two regular-season video games towards Belleville as Laval tries to sneak into the ultimate playoff spot.

Revealed Apr 16, 2024 • 3 minute learn

Boston College ahead Luke Tuch, proper, tried to elude the checking of Denver defenceman Boston Buckberger throughout semifinal recreation on the Frozen 4 tourney final week in St. Paul, Minn. Picture by Abbie Parr /AP

The final week has been a whirlwind for Canadiens prospect Luke Tuch, with barely sufficient time to return up for air.

And he wouldn’t change a factor.

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“It has been fairly loopy. Dropping within the Frozen 4 was fairly disappointing, however then getting the chance right here … is nice. I’m actually excited for the chance,” Tuch mentioned Tuesday, following his first apply with the Rocket at Place Bell in Laval.

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Earlier on Tuesday, the Canadiens introduced Tuch had signed a two-year entry-level contract with the group. However he additionally signed an expert tryout cope with the Rocket, permitting him to affix the AHL group for its closing two regular-season video games and attainable playoff look.

The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Tuch simply accomplished his NCAA profession at Boston College, scoring 10 targets and 30 factors in 39 video games as a senior. His collegiate profession ended final Thursday, when the Terriers misplaced 2-1 in additional time to Denver College within the Frozen 4 semifinal. Tuch, chosen within the second spherical (forty seventh total) by Montreal in 2020, scored the Terriers’ solely purpose. He has been in Montreal since Sunday.

“Being drafted in 2020 was fairly particular,” mentioned the native of Syracuse, N.Y., who majored in journalism at school and hopes to finally pursue a broadcasting profession. “Once they offered me with this chance I used to be actually excited and couldn’t flip it down. This can be a fast turnaround.

“You’re by no means glad as a hockey participant,” he added. “I used to be actually proud of the way in which I performed, my management type. I introduced some youthful guys underneath my wing and led on the ice. I’ve form of grown into my id a little bit bit extra and know who I’m as a participant.”

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Tuch performed collegiately with defenceman Lane Hutson, who signed with Montreal final Friday and made his Canadiens’ debut Monday night time in a 5-4 additional time loss at Detroit. Hutson picked up an help on the opening purpose, scored by Brendan Gallagher, and is predicted to play Tuesday night time, when the Canadiens finish their season on the Bell Centre towards the Crimson Wings.

Tuch undoubtedly hoped he additionally would obtain some NHL enjoying time, however masked any potential disappointment.

“I believed there was a risk, however there wasn’t an excessive amount of dialogue surrounding that,” he mentioned. “There completely isn’t any disappointment. It’s actually particular to be with this group.”

With a season-ending upper-body harm suffered by Jacob Perreault final Saturday, there’s a powerful risk Tuch will play Friday night time, at Belleville. Forwards Mitchell Stephens and Brandon Gignac are also sidelined and didn’t practise on Tuesday. Their accidents are thought-about day-to-day.

“He’s a giant boy,” Rocket head coach Jean-François Houle mentioned of Tuch. “I really feel like he has improved his skating since growth camp. He had a great season and did very well in apply right now. He’s a giant physique, and that’s one thing we do want. We now have some selections to make on the lineup. I’m unsure the place all people will match.”

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Tuch is taken into account a prototypical energy ahead with offensive means. His skating is sound and he’s thought-about fast and quick sufficient to make the transition to the NHL. He was utilized in all conditions in faculty and accomplished his four-year profession with 31 targets and 71 factors in 121 video games. His older brother, Alex, is a ahead with the Buffalo Sabres.

“I attempt to use my energy ahead type,” he defined. “I wish to play bodily and go to the online laborious. I’m a straight-line participant. Hopefully I can complement a number of the gamers right here. I’ve been choosing guys’ brains, how the tempo is and the way guys suppose on the market. I’ll need to depend on teammates and linemates to get me by means of, if I play. I feel the tempo goes to be excessive and guys suppose a bit sooner.”

Laval (33-29-8) sits sixth within the North Division, two factors behind Belleville and the ultimate playoff spot. The Senators maintain one recreation in hand and entertain Syracuse on Wednesday. No matter that end result, the Rocket should win its closing two video games and concludes its season Saturday night time at house towards Belleville. Ought to the groups end tied within the standings, Laval holds the tiebreaker.

4 Canadiens gamers — defencemen Logan Mailloux, Justin Barron and Jayden Struble, together with injured ahead Joshua Roy — are eligible to affix the Rocket this week. Mailloux was recalled Monday night time and anticipated to play Tuesday towards Detroit.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

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