If you wonder why Luke Tuch didn’t follow his older brother Alex to Boston College, there’s a simple answer. He wasn’t recruited by the Eagles.
Instead, Luke ended up a few miles up the road at Boston University and is thriving in his freshman season.
“I visited several other schools, I kept my options open, for sure. I came to BU and watched a game and I fell in love with it right away,’’ said Tuch, who was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week after notching the game-winning goal in BU’s overtime win at Connecticut last Saturday.
Alex, who is carving out a fine NHL career in his fourth season with the Vegas Golden Knights, endorsed his brother’s college choice.
“He was really supportive. He loved it, thinks it’s great that I took my own path. My brother loved his time at BC and had great success. Loved his coaches and the school and everything. Nothing against them, at all. He loved the rivalry (with BU) and everything and he still does,’’ Luke said.
As his brother did before him, Luke played for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program before college. He was drafted in the second round, 47th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens last fall.
Based on his performance so far at BU, it’s easy to see why the Habs were drawn to him. He is third on the team in scoring with a 5-4-9 line in 11 games. At 6-2 and 203 pounds, Tuch skates well and uses his size to play an aggressive game.
“He’s had a hell of a year so far,’’ said coach Albie O’Connell, who is seeing more consistency in Tuch’s game.
“His physical play is second to none. He’s a strong guy. He really creates a lot of space. He’s had the ability to chip in offensively and has scored two game-winners,’’ O’Connell said.
“He’s had some big moments, he’s had some big games. He’s a kid that’s hungry to keep getting better. He works in practice. We’re just happy that he came here.’’
Physicality has been a part of Tuch’s game from the start, even when the rules prohibited it.
“Growing up, I always played a physical game. Sometimes, when there was no hitting back in PeeWees, I’d get in trouble with that. With me being big and strong, it just comes natural to me.
“When I’m going for a hit, I’m trying to knock the guy down, separate him from the puck. Sometimes I need to control that, pick my spots. I try not to go out of my way to hit someone, but do it at the right time. Several times this year I think I’ve surprised myself with some of the big hits I’ve had,’’ he said.
“I thought I would succeed at the college level. My game translates well — big, physical, smart with the puck. I can use my speed sometimes. Playing some college games (with the NTDP) last year has really helped. I thought I stood out in those games.
“Coming into the season, I really didn’t know what to expect, with games being canceled and everything going on, but I just take it day by day. I try not to focus on points. If I just play my game, points will come along. I’m just having a lot of fun.’’
Kicking off his college career in the middle of a pandemic is something Tuch couldn’t have imagined a year ago.
The Terriers, like teams all across the college hockey landscape, are trying to make the best of it.
“It’s definitely been really crazy. Our coaching staff and our upperclassmen have made it really easy on us, keeping our minds in the game and always being prepared for anything. Our class has done a really good job with that and our team has had eyes on the prize the whole time. We have really good leadership here. That’s definitely made it easier on us,’’ Tuch said.
With a 9-2 record, BU is second in Hockey East behind Boston College and has surged into the top 10 in the national polls.
“A lot of people coming into the season were big doubters of our team. I think we’re making a statement, that’s for sure,’’ said Tuch.
Connecticut’s big hitter
Hockey East doesn’t include hits in the game statistics that it tracks. If it did, there’s a good chance Adam Karashik’s name would be at the top of the list.
Game after game, shift after shift, the UConn captain rattles the glass with body checks. Along the boards, in front of the net and in open ice, he’s relentless in laying the body on opposing players.
At 6 feet tall and a stout 200 pounds, Karashik is “an old-school physical defenseman,’’ says coach Mike Cavanaugh.
Karashik is a Connecticut kid — he’s from Ridgefield — who opted to stay home and play for the state university. He’s a pace-setter on a team that might be the most physical in the league.
“He epitomizes everything we want in a hockey player here at UConn. Off the ice, he’s a great student. He does things the right way away from the rink. On the ice, I think the greatest compliment I could give him is he’s probably hated by every team in the league.
“But when he’s on your team, you love him. Those guys are usually tireless workers, tenacious competitors, and that’s what he is. He plays the game the right way. He’s hard and he’s hard to play against,’’ said Cavanaugh.
“He’s an unbelievable teammate and leader, the heart and soul of our team. He brings it every night.’’
Karashik grew up admiring NHL defensemen who played a physical game.
“I was always drawn to defensemen like (Dan) Girardi and (Niklas) Kronwall and the way that (P.K.) Subban used to hit, the reaction they would get from their teammates. That was always something that attracted me to the game. Even from a young age, I brought that physical presence just from admiring those types of guys,’’ he said.
Karashik is an equal-opportunity hitter, going just as hard at players he knows as he does at those he doesn’t know.
“There’s a bunch of kids that I played with at Avon (Old Farms) that I’ve played against in college — Jamie Armstrong, Patrick Harper (both of Boston University). They know how I like to play, I know how they like to play, getting to the net. Also Tyce Thompson (of Providence College). I grew up playing in the same area (of Connecticut) as him.
“I’m going to be there, but we’re friends after playing. Never really had tough feelings off the ice, but on the ice, it gets physical out there,’’ he said.
Serving as captain means a lot to Karashik, who is a senior economics major.
“It’s been a privilege and an honor. I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in if it wasn’t for all my teammates, present and past. We have a lot of older guys on the team, so it isn’t only me leading. Definitely, being a Connecticut kid, it’s something I don’t take for granted. I realize how fortunate I am,’’ he said.
Coping with the uncertainty of the current season — playing, pausing, playing again — has been a challenge.
“Controlling our emotions is one of the hardest parts. As hard as it is, you have 26 to 27 guys beside you going through the same thing. Just being around each other so much has made it so much easier. We’ve had our fun together. We’ve made the best season that we possibly can in terms of handling the emotions and the ups and downs,’’ he said.
The Huskies, who are in fourth place in Hockey East heading into the weekend, broke into the national top 20 two weeks ago before losing three in a row, two of them in overtime. They are looking to get back on track against Maine this weekend.
“We want to be one of the top dogs in the league. This year we’re proving that,’’ he said. “I know guys have friends on other teams. No one wants to play us right now, with how hard we play. And when we play that hard, it opens up our skill and we’re a threat.
“There’s a lot of hockey left to be played and there’s definitely a chance to make it an awesome season, instead of just a season with a bunch of ups and downs.’’
Karashik, who will graduate this year, is an NHL free agent. While he is looking to play pro hockey at some point, playing another year in college is a possibility. He’ll weigh his options after the season.
“There’s a lot of intangibles that teams are going to like,’’ said Cavanaugh. “He’s a little bit undersized for a real physical defenseman, but the way the game’s going now, you’re seeing some of those guys make it.’’
