Riley Tufte opens Traverse City prospect tournament with strong showing

Strange as it may sound, being a 6-foot-6 forward is a bit of a challenge for Riley Tufte.
Five years ago, when Tufte was drafted, the NHL (and the Stars) were focused on bigger players and felt that size would allow for advantages in battles along the boards and in front of the net. But as the game has gotten both faster and quicker, a few things that were great for bigger players now aren't huge advantages.

"A lot of these young guys come in, and they're so low, and they can come right under you, so you have to watch out for the little guys," Tufte said when the Stars were practicing in Frisco last week. "You've got to be careful with how you're hitting people and where you put your stick. They're cracking down on stick penalties in all leagues, so you have to be careful."
On Thursday, Tufte showed that he can exist quite nicely in today's quick game, as he scored two goals in a 5-4 loss to the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Prospect Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. Dallas' prospects got behind 5-1, but Tufte led a strong comeback as he scored twice around the net and was able to use both size and skill.
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"He's a big man, right? And he can skate extremely well for a big man, so it's important to bring that presence, whether it's finishing a bump, having a presence around the net, possessing pucks low," said Texas Stars coach Neil Graham, who is running the prospect team in Michigan. "Those are areas that he needs to continue to work at and excel at to be an everyday player up top."

And Tufte definitely wants to get "up top." He's got three years of college play under his belt at the University of Minnesota Duluth and was a member of two NCAA champions there. He then played with the Texas Stars for two seasons, handling restrictions from the COVID pandemic and still finding a way to get better. He's one of the veterans in the prospect tournament and is wearing an 'A' as an alternate captain, so when he steps up in a game like he did Thursday, that's a great sign.
"You're looking at all these young kids that just got drafted and it's crazy to think that it's already going to be my third-year pro," Tufte said. "I feel like a veteran out there. I try to talk to these younger guys and make sure they're on the same page and know they can look up to me and ask me questions."
Ironically, the goal scoring is likely not what will get Tufte a regular job in the NHL. He's going to probably land a spot on the fourth line as a physical checker, and that's what the coaches want from him in this tournament and in the preseason.
"Especially moving forward and trying to establish himself at the next level," Graham said of the focus on better defensive habits he has already built in the AHL. "He's done a nice job for us on the penalty kill, using his reach, using his speed. He has to continue to do that on a nightly basis."
Tufte said the message has been delivered loud and clear, and it's something he said he has figured out on his own, as well.
"I think coming in, my defensive game wasn't there, but playing in the American League the past few years, I feel like my defensive game has come a long way," Tufte said. "I think if I'm going to make it to the NHL, that's going to be a big part of it."
Of course, just as the game has changed for tall forwards, it's also changed for fourth liners. So, he has to be diligent, smart and physical to be a good defensive player, but scoring a few goals certainly isn't going to hurt his chances of logging his first NHL game this season.
NOTES: Dallas lost 5-4 to Detroit in the first of four games at the tournament. Tufte had two goals, while Wyatt Johnston and Jacob Peterson each had one. Riley Damiani, Ty Dellandrea, Antonio Stranges and Yauheni Aksiantsiuk each had an assist. Adam Scheel started in goal and allowed five goals on 21 shots. He was pulled briefly at the end of the second period, but then returned and didn't allow a goal in the third period. Healthy scratches for the Stars were Tye Felhaber, Luke Profaca, Conner Roulette and Francesco Arcuri. The Stars play Columbus at 6 p.m. CT on Friday and there's a chance some of the healthy scratches will draw in.
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This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika, and listen to his podcast.