Riley Tufte

Riley Jack Tufte (born April 10, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey player currently playing with the Texas Stars in the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Dallas Stars 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.

Riley Tufte
Born (1998-04-10) April 10, 1998
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 (P)
Cur. team		 Dallas Stars
Texas Stars (AHL)
NHL Draft 25th overall, 2016
Dallas Stars
Playing career 2019–present

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]

International play

Tufte's played in both the 2014 Under-17 Five Nations Cup and the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.[8] He helped Team USA place second in the 2014 Under-17 Five Nations Cup.[9]

Tufte competed in the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament for Team USA, who finished fifth in the tournament.[8] He later competed at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he helped Team USA secure a bronze medal.[8]

Personal life

Tufte was born and grew up in Coon Rapids, Minnesota with three siblings and his mother Amy, who is a nurse.[10] At the age of 11, Tufte was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.[10][11] As a child, he received an inspirational letter from retired NHL player Toby Petersen who also suffered from diabetes.[10]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13 Blaine High USHS 242134 20000
2013–14 Blaine High USHS 2517183526 30220
2014–15 Blaine High USHS 2423285130 34480
2014–15 Fargo Force USHL 71452 —————
2015–16 Fargo Force USHL 271041430 —————
2016–17 U. of Minnesota Duluth NCHC 37971626 —————
2017–18 U. of Minnesota Duluth NCHC 4216132936 —————
2018–19 U. of Minnesota Duluth NCHC 429101930 —————
2019–20 Texas Stars AHL 533121542 —————
AHL totals 533121542 —————

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2014 United States U17 60114
2015 United States IH18 5th 40002
2018 United States WJC 70332
Junior totals 170448

References
  1. "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. 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. "Riley Tufte". teamusa.usahockey.com. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  9. "USA Takes Second Place in U-17 Five Nations, Beating Germany, 8-2". teamusa.usahockey.com. August 17, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2018.
  10. Russo, Michael (June 22, 2016). "NHL draft prospect Riley Tufte is the pride of Blaine". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  11. "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
Denis Gurianov		 Dallas Stars first round draft pick
2016		 Succeeded by
Miro Heiskanen
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