Jun 27, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Alex Tuch poses for a photo with team officials after being selected as the number eighteen overall pick to the Minnesota Wild in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Draft 2014: Minnesota Wild draft grade
With the 18th overall selection in the 2014 NHL Draft, the Minnesota Wild selected forward Alex Tuch of the USA National Development Team Program.
Tuch, who was ranked 19th in the final FanSided NHL Draft big board, was the last in a string of picks that saw three players from the USANDTP go in four selections.
He is a player who is the prototypical power forward in my book. At 6’3″ and 213lbs, Tuch has size, and knows how to use it to produce in the offensive zone. He’s gritty, and is willing to play a physical game around the net in order to help generate scoring chances.
“He’s a big strong winger with quality hands and an NHL shot. We feel that he has tremendous upside,” Wild Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr said in a press release. “We are very excited to add a potential power forward to our group of prospects.”
Wild fans should be really excited about this pick because he’s a player that can be a scoring power forward, and make an impact within the next couple of years.
Final Grade: A
Sound off Wild fans! What do you think of Minnesota’s first pick? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.
