Tuch looks faster for Golden Knights during postseason, brother says

Alex Tuch has excelled for the Vegas Golden Knights to help them reach the Western Conference Final, and younger brother Luke Tuch said he's seen a difference in his game.

"I think he's always been a player in the NHL with speed, but I think he looks even faster now," Luke said. "I don't really know what it was, but he's definitely flying out there and using his size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds) to his advantage, for sure.
"When you're that big and have that speed, it's pretty hard to stop."
Luke (6-2, 203), who is six years younger than Alex, has watched closely how impactful his 24-year-old brother has been this postseason. Luke, No. 40 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft, hopes one day he'll be in a similar position in the NHL.
The left wing from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team and freshman at Boston University scored 30 points (15 goals, 15 assists) in 47 games this season and 53 points (25 goals, 28 assists) in 95 games in two seasons with the NTDP.
Alex Tuch's combination of size and speed has given Vegas coach Peter DeBoer a luxury few coaches have on their third line. Luke realizes that and said he's learned a lot watching big brother and the Golden Knights.

"He's playing on the third line right now, but he's one of the leading scorers, so he's definitely playing to his role," Luke said. "I think all the players are playing to their identity and know what they have to do to win, so I think they need to continue to do just that.
"We didn't have hockey for several months, so I was definitely itching to watch some more hockey and I think it's pretty impressive how the guys don't really look like they've missed a beat. The compete level remains really high and their skating wasn't affected over the quarantine."
Tuch leads Vegas with eight postseason goals and is fourth with 10 points in 16 games. He scored 17 points (eight goals, nine assists) in 42 regular-season games.
"Alex put in a lot of work to get to where he is today," Luke said. "He's really smooth, has quick feet, and his top speed is pretty fast. Alex has always been that fast, but I think over the past couple years, in the summer, he's been focusing on that speed. He's definitely making the most of it, and I think he's having one heck of a playoff so far."

Luke said he's in constant competition with Alex and relishes those moments.
"When it comes to the weight room, on ice, and practice in the summer, we're getting into quite a few fights, whether it's competing or him telling me to do something that I don't like," he said. "I'm not shy to mix it up with him, but it's all in good spirits."
Luke said the Golden Knights have a good chance of winning the Stanley Cup, though Vegas trails the Dallas Stars 1-0. Game 2 of the best-of-7 series in Edmonton, the hub city for the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final, on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN, CBC, SN, TVAS).
"I think obviously what they're all working toward is the Stanley Cup, and that's definitely one of the goals of mine when I reach the League," he said. "It motivates me, for sure, to see my brother out there and what he's been able to do."
Luke's roommate is freshman Drew Commesso, No. 2 in NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American goaltenders eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft, to be held virtually Oct. 9-10. It was postponed from its initial date of June 26-27 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.
"We're starting workouts soon and we'll be on the ice," Tuch said. "Hopefully, the season starts in November.
"I think the time with my family, sitting in front of the TV and hearing my name called will be special. I think it's been a long couple of months. I've been waiting for this moment for a while now, so sharing that moment with my brother, my sister, my parents, will definitely be special."