By: Kenny Kaminsky | Follow me on Twitter/X @KennyKaminsky
After an outstanding season in the American Hockey League with the Colorado Eagles, the affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, Riley Tufte, accepted an offer on July 1, 2024, to join the Boston Bruins organization in their pursuit of the 2024-25 Stanley Cup. The native of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, fits the Bruins’ style perfectly as a larger player who can use his physicality while also possessing a scoring touch. Following a series of impressive preseason games, Tufte secured a spot on the roster for opening night, marking the first time he became a full-time National Hockey League player in his career.
Unfortunately, Riley’s time with the Biggs was short-lived because he struggled to adapt to the fast-paced game. He recorded zero points in his first two games and appeared lost on the ice. The 26-year-old also took harsh penalties, leading to severe criticism from fans on social media. His difficulties and limited playing time made him a prime candidate for reassignment. The impressive performances of Cole Koepke and Mark Kastelic made it virtually impossible for Boston Bruins Head Coach Jim Montgomery to include them in the lineup.
After his assignment to the AHL affiliate Providence Bruins, fans, myself included, were curious to see whether Tufte would seize the opportunity to build his confidence or dwell on his missed chance to play in Boston. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall, the forward made his choice clear once he stepped onto the ice. He joined the team right before they embarked on their first road trip of the season in Canada. Providence struggled after being swept at home by the Hershey Bears, and the Baby B’s had many issues to address. Both scoring and special teams need to be improved, and Tufte was a player who could make a significant impact in both areas.
During warmups, the University of Minnesota-Duluth alum was reminded of his surroundings when he glanced into the crowd at CAA Arena in Belleville, Ontario, and saw fewer than two thousand people. Tufte had played in front of sold-out NHL crowds just days earlier, but now he was facing a significantly smaller audience. Despite this, he made an immediate impact. The Fargo Force product scored a goal by capitalizing on a rebound, which extended the P-Bruins’ lead to 2-0 and ended Providence’s power play drought. The team ultimately won 3-2 in a shootout thanks to Tufte’s goal.
This past weekend was his most successful yet. He led the P-Bruins on the right path by sweeping their first three-in-three series of the season. On Friday, Tufte made a cross-ice pass to Jordan Oesterle, who delivered a beautiful shot over the shoulder of Bridgeport Islanders goaltender Jakub Skarek. Tufte left his mark on this crucial game as Providence won by a final score of 3-2.
The following night, the Baby B’s faced off against the Islanders again at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Tufte scored on the power play after effectively positioning himself. He received a perfect pass from Georgii Merkulov and completed a tic-tac-toe play by sliding the puck into the wide-open net. The P-Bruins won the game 8-4, continuing their momentum from the previous night’s success. However, Tufte was scratched for the following day’s game against the Hartford Wolf Pack, in which the team achieved a resounding 4-2 victory.
Tufte has recorded three goals and one assist in his six games this season. He has played a crucial role in revitalizing the struggling power play, demonstrating the type of play that Boston Bruins General Manager Don Sweeney is eager to see. Although Riley plays hard, his larger frame challenges opponents trying to gain ground on him. He effectively uses his size and weight to disrupt the speed of opposing players. While penalties remain a concern, they differ from the penalties he incurred in Boston; they now stem from the advantages of his size over his competition. Tufte may earn a call-up soon if he can maintain his impressive performance. Regardless, he is positioning himself for future success.
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