Canadiens prospect Luke Tuch has joined the Laval Rocket for a postseason push

The power forward could play in the team's final two games of the season against Belleville as Laval tries to make the final playoff push.

Published on April 16, 2024 • 3 minutes of reading

Boston University forward Luke Tuch tries to avoid a check by Denver quarterback Boston Buckberger during last week's Frozen Four semifinal game in St. Paul, Minn. Photo by Abby Parr /AP

The last week has been a whirlwind for Canadiens prospect Luke Tuch, with just a few minutes left to go on the air.

And it doesn't change anything.

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“It was pretty crazy. It was disappointing to lose in the Frozen Four, but to get a chance here is … awesome. I'm really excited for this opportunity,” Tuch said Tuesday after his first practice with the Rockets at Bell in Laval.

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The Canadiens announced Tuesday that Tuch has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the organization. But he also signed a professional tryout deal with the Rockets, allowing him to join the AHL team for the final two regular season games and a potential playoff game.

The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Tuch finished his NCAA career at Boston University, scoring 10 goals and 30 points in 39 games. His collegiate career ended last Thursday, when the Terriers lost 2-1 in overtime to the University of Denver in the semifinals of the Frozen Four. Tuch, who was selected in the second round (47th overall) by Montreal in 2020, scored the Terriers' lone goal. He has been in Montreal since Sunday.

“It was pretty special to be drafted in 2020,” said the Syracuse, N.Y., native who majored in journalism in college and hopes to eventually pursue a career in broadcasting. “When they offered me this opportunity, I was very excited and couldn't turn it down. It's a fast turnaround.

“You're never satisfied as a hockey player,” he added. “I was happy with my game, my leadership style. I took guys younger than me under my wing and led them to the ice. I've grown my personality a little bit and learned who I am as a player.”

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Tuch teamed up with defenseman Lane Hutson, who signed with Montreal last Friday and made his Canadiens debut in a 5-4 overtime loss at Detroit. Hutson assisted on Brendan Gallagher's first goal and is expected to play Tuesday night when the Canadiens close out their season at the Bell Center against the Red Wings.

Tuch undoubtedly hoped he would get some NHL playing time, but glossed over any potential disappointment.

“I thought it was a possibility, but there wasn't too much discussion about it,” he said. “There is no disappointment. It's really special to be with this team.”

With Jacob Perrea suffering a season-ending injury last Saturday, Tuch is likely to play Friday night at Belleville. Forwards Mitchell Stevens and Brandon Gignac are also out and did not practice Tuesday. Their injuries are considered routine.

“He's a big kid,” Rockets head coach Jean-Francois Hole said of Touch. “I think he's improved his skating since development camp. He has had a good season and performed very well in training today. He's a big body and that's what we need. We have some lineup decisions. I don't know where it all fits.”

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Tuch is considered a prototypical power forward with offensive ability. His skating is good and he is considered fast and quick enough to make it to the NHL. He was used in all situations in college and finished his four-year career with 31 goals and 71 points in 121 games. His older brother, Alex, is a forward for the Buffalo Sabres.

“I'm trying to push my efforts forward,” he explained. “I like to play physically and go to the net hard. I'm a straight gamer. Hopefully I can complement some of the players here. I picked guys brains, the pace of it and how guys think. If I'm going to play, I have to rely on my teammates and teammates. I think the pace will be higher and the guys will think a little bit faster.”

Laval (33-29-8) is in sixth place in the North Division, two points behind Belleville and the final playoff spot. The Senators will host Syracuse on Wednesday with one game to play. Despite this result, the Rockets will need to win their final two games to close out the season Saturday night at home against Belleville. If the teams finish tied in the standings, Laval will hold the tiebreaker.

Four Canadiens players — defensemen Logan Maylow, Justin Barron and Jayden Struble, and injured forward Joshua Roy — are eligible to join the Rockets this week. Mailloux was reinstated Monday night and is expected to play Tuesday against Detroit.

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