2020 Draft: Luke Tuch creating own identity at NDTP

Every Thursday, NHL.com will look ahead to the 2020 NHL Draft with an in-depth profile on one of its top prospects.

Luke Tuch is six years younger than his brother, 23-year-old Vegas Golden Knights forward Alex Tuch, but the bond they share has helped provide a solid foundation for Luke in his NHL Draft-eligible season.
"I'm close with Alex and he's a great role model for me, so six years may sound like a big difference, but it really isn't," said the 6-foot-2, 203-pound left wing from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team. "I always looked up to him, and in the summer, we'd work out, skate together, play video games and compete in street hockey, so I'd say we're really close."
To his credit, Luke Tuch has established his own identity in two seasons at the program.
"I'd say I have more of an edge to my game than Alex," Luke Tuch said. "I like to get in my opponent's face. That's just how I thrive, and I feel I'm a little more physical."
Luke was asked if his feistiness is a byproduct of having to fight for every inch of space being the youngest brother.
"Sometimes," he said with a grin. "But Alex wasn't the type to beat me up when I was little. He's more of a loving brother, but as the youngest, I have a twin sister who says she's older than me by two minutes ... whatever."
Alex, who turns 24 on May 10, played two seasons (2012-14) at the NTDP before playing for Boston College (2014-16). He was selected by the Minnesota Wild with the No. 18 pick in the 2014 NHL Draft and traded to the Golden Knights on June 21, 2017 for a third-round pick in the 2018 NHL Draft.

"I can't even put into words how proud I am of him and I tell him all the time," Alex Tuch said. "It's funny because I'm probably one of his hardest and biggest critics, so he might not get the love all the time when I'm talking to him. But when I'm talking to the media and my buddies, I'm talking him up and telling him he's the best in the world."
Luke Tuch is No. 40 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft. He scored 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 47 games this season, and 53 points (25 goals, 28 assists) in 95 games during two seasons at the NTDP. He's committed to play at Boston University next season.
"When I talk about Luke, I always talk about a power forward with skill," NTDP U-18 coach Seth Appert said. "Blending those together is not always easy for young kids because power forwards have to be physical, they have to be ornery and cause a little chaos to the other team. But skill guys have to be calm with the puck to make plays, so blending them is not easy. But Luke's been doing a really good job with that.
"He's a physical force for us and plays his best when he's physical. The nice part about Luke is that he's starting to blend a lot of offense in with his physical play."
Alex said he's aware of rumors about Luke already being the more complete player of the Tuch brothers.
"I've heard some scouts, but honestly that's more grief than anything," Alex said. "I think he's an unbelievable hockey player who has more of a shoot-first mentality. Maybe I was a little bit of a better skater at the same age but he's the type of guy who will finish his checks and he's tough to play against because of that. He's physical, hard on the puck and turning into quite the player."
Luke Tuch is appreciated by teammates for his hard-nosed, relentless style of play.

"Every day he comes in with the right attitude and pushes people," said NTDP forward Ty Smilanic, No. 24 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters. "He's a good teammate and he's hard to play against. I don't enjoy playing against him, but he makes me better."
Director of NHL Central Scouting Dan Marr said Luke has a knack for knowing how to use his size to his advantage in most situations on the ice.
"Luke plays a physical power-forward game blended with smarts, skills and competitiveness," Marr said. "He plays a similar style as older brother Alex in that they both gets results by utilizing size, strength and skating. He plays an effective forecheck game and offers good offensive smarts in the offensive zone to generate chances."
Tuch said his improved play around the net has been a big reason for his output this season.
"I think that's where I score most of my goals," he said. "I'm most comfortable in front of the net and I think I can give my team greasy goals. I can be flashy at times but at the end of the day, the net-front is where most goals are going to be scored, so that's where I like to be."
Photo credits: Rena Laverty (NTDP)
---
Listen: New episode of NHL Draft Class