By Warren Kozireski —
The last time Boston University reached the Frozen Four, Division I hockey’s final four, now Buffalo Sabres forward Alex Tuch was a freshman. The Terriers lost in the final to Providence.
Now it’s brother Luke’s turn as BU defeated Western Michigan and Cornell in the Manchester Regional to advance to play Minnesota in the first semi-final game at this year’s Frozen Four in Tampa on Thursday.
“I think we’re on a good roll right now as a team and I think we’re focusing on just the next game and what’s in front of us,” Tuch said. “We’re a pretty good streak here…and it’s coming down to one or two games left here.
“This week’s been great; the team is really excited and down here in Tampa it’s obviously warm weather and pretty special and sometimes there can be some distractions with the media and a lot of hype around here, but we’ve done a good job in that it’s just another game, but it’s a big one though.”
Like his brother, Luke came through the U.S. National Team Development Program after his time with first the Syracuse Nationals and Buffalo Jr. Sabres.
While in Buffalo, Tuch lived with former Sabres forward Andrew Peters, who mentored him prior to joining the USNDTP.
This season, the junior left wing had a career-high nine goals with 11 assists while playing in every game for the Terriers.
“I think I had an okay season this year; some of that is the teammates I’m playing with. I’m playing with two really good freshmen who are high octane offense and can shoot the puck and make plays.
Being trusted by the coaching staff to play with two freshmen.
“Being a captain on the team and being a leader just along with maturity and being able to relate to the guys because I was an 18-year old freshman too.”
The just-turned 21-year-old was selected by Montreal in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft and has attended the summer Canadiens Development Camp. His draft was the last of two held remotely with draftee interviews via zoom.
“The draft was weird; I was in Boston…I think it was in October and I was in the hotel with my parents. We definitely made the most of it going out to dinner afterward.”
Having an older brother already in the NHL sometimes gives you access to inside information, such as when your brother is going to be traded.
“I remember him calling me the night before the trade went through and he was super-emotional. And I was laying in bed I think around 11:30 at night and I had a test the next morning. He called me and told me he got traded to Buffalo and I couldn’t believe it. A lot of mixed emotions that he had, and I was pretty pumped. We both cheered for Buffalo growing up and it couldn’t have been a better team that he went too.
But it also comes with some pressure and challenges in the locker room.
“We were at dinner last night and the game was up on the screen and he (Alex) scored and everyone’s giving me crap and razzing me a little bit. And then it got called off and they’re yelling that they have to stay onsides. They love joking around, but they root for him which is pretty cool.”
(BU Athletic Photos)
