Riley Tufte

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Riley Tufte
Riley Tufte.jpg
Tufte with the Texas Stars in 2022
Born (1998-04-10) April 10, 1998 (age 26)
Coon Rapids, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
NHL draft 25th overall, 2016
Dallas Stars
Playing career 2019–present

Riley Jack Tufte (born April 10, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He formerly played for the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL), and played college ice hockey for the University of Minnesota Duluth. Tufte was drafted in the first round, 25th overall, of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars.

Contents

Playing career

Minors and college

Tufte played for Blaine High School in Minnesota, where he was awarded the 2015–16 Mr. Hockey Award in his senior year after he led all of Minnesota Class AA in goals scored. [1] He also played two seasons for the Fargo Force of the USHL, accumulating 19 points in 34 games, before deciding to go back to high school for his senior year. [2] In March 2016, Tufte was invited to Team USA's 2016 National Junior Evaluation Camp, to prepare for the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, however he broke his wrist during camp and could not play. [3] Despite this, Tufte became the highest NHL draft pick in the history of the Fargo Force when he was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. [1] Instead of going pro right away, Tufte decided to pursue higher education at the University of Minnesota Duluth. [4]

Tufte missed the beginning of his freshman season due to an injury but he completed the season with 16 points. [5] He was off to a stronger start in his sophomore season, [5] leading the team in scoring as they advanced through the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship. [6]

Professional

On April 17, 2019, Tufte signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars after the conclusion of his junior collegiate season. [7]

Unable to establish himself through four seasons within the Stars organization, Tufte left as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 1, 2023. [8]

International play

Tufte's played in both the 2014 Under-17 Five Nations Cup and the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. [9] He helped Team USA place second in the 2014 Under-17 Five Nations Cup. [10]

Tufte competed in the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament for Team USA, who finished fifth in the tournament. [9] He later competed at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he helped Team USA secure a bronze medal. [9]

Personal life

Tufte was born and grew up in Coon Rapids, Minnesota with three siblings, his father Jamie, and mother Amy, who is a nurse. [11] At the age of 11, Tufte was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. [11] [12] As a child, he received an inspirational letter from retired NHL player Toby Petersen who also suffered from diabetes. [11] In February of 2020 Riley and his wife, Morgan, welcomed their first son.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2012–13 Blaine High USHS 24213420000
2013–14Blaine HighUSHS251718352630220
2014–15Blaine HighUSHS242328513034480
2014–15 Fargo Force USHL 71452—————
2015–16 Fargo ForceUSHL271041430—————
2016–17 U. of Minnesota Duluth NCHC 37971626—————
2017–18 U. of Minnesota DuluthNCHC4216132936—————
2018–19 U. of Minnesota DuluthNCHC429101930—————
2019–20 Texas Stars AHL 533121542—————
2020–21 Texas StarsAHL3636932—————
2021–22 Texas StarsAHL541010203610000
2021–22 Dallas Stars NHL 101014—————
2022–23 Texas StarsAHL631916359080334
2022–23 Dallas StarsNHL30000—————
2023–24 Colorado Eagles AHL672322459130112
2023–24 Colorado Avalanche NHL51122
NHL totals182136—————

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2014 United States U17 Silver medal icon.svg60114
2015 United States IH18 5th40002
2018 United States WJC Bronze medal icon.svg70332
Junior totals170448

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References

  1. 1 2 "TUFTE SELECTED 25TH OVERALL IN NHL DRAFT". fargoforce.com. June 28, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  2. ↑ Engels, Eric (June 20, 2016). "Prospect of Interest: The 411 on Riley Tufte". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  3. ↑ Wellens, Matt (April 2, 2016). "College men's hockey: Tufte breaks wrist at national junior team camp, doesn't expect to miss time with UMD". duluthnewstribune.com. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  4. ↑ Hunt, Steve (July 10, 2016). "Stars' Riley Tufte puts NHL dream on hold". nhl.com. Frisco, Texas: Dallas Stars. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  5. 1 2 Stepneski, Mark (October 23, 2017). "Prospect Report: Riley Tufte off to strong start in NCAA". NHL.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  6. ↑ Stepneski, Mark (March 26, 2018). "Prospect Report: Cecconi, Tufte advance to Frozen Four". nhl.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Stars sign left wing Riley Tufte to three-year, entry-level contract". NHL.com. April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Avalanche signs five players to two-way contracts". Colorado Avalanche. July 1, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "Riley Tufte". teamusa.usahockey.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  10. ↑ "USA Takes Second Place in U-17 Five Nations, Beating Germany, 8-2". teamusa.usahockey.com. August 17, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  11. 1 2 3 Russo, Michael (June 22, 2016). "NHL draft prospect Riley Tufte is the pride of Blaine". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Diabetes doesn't slow down Blaine's Riley Tufte". Blaine, Minn: USA Today. January 13, 2016. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Dallas Stars first round draft pick
2016 		Succeeded by
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