Syracuse, N.Y. -- After eyeing each other as chirping rivals and hockey training partners for several years, Baldwinsville’s Tuch brothers are about to put a new twist on their relationship.
For the first time ever, they will be teammates.
Both Alex and Luke have been named to the men’s U.S. National Team that will compete at 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championship from May 12-28 in Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia.
Alex, 26, is a right wing for the Buffalo Sabres, coming off a year in which he posted career highs in goals (36) and assists (43). Luke is a 21-year-old left wing for Boston University who posted nine goals and 11 helpers as a junior this season. He was taken by Montreal in the second round of the 2020 draft.
Their large age difference precluded any chance of playing on the same team until now.
“It’s amazing. There’s definitely going to be a lot of watch parties here in Syracuse,” Luke said.
The experience could be even more memorable because there’s a chance the brothers might skate on the same line.
“I would hope we, at least, at the minimum, get a couple shifts together. But it will be a lot of mixing and matching,” Alex said. “I’m super excited. He won’t stop texting me about it. We’ve been talking about it non-stop.”
Team USA will train in Munich starting Saturday and play a pre-tournament game there against Germany on Tuesday. The U.S. will open play against host Finland on May 12 in Tampere All U.S. games in the tournament will air live on NHL Network.
The U.S. has finished in the top four of the world championship in six of the last nine tournaments with four bronze medals to its credit during that span (2013, 2015, 2018, 2021).
The average age of the team is 25, which has Alex, who turns 27 on Wednesday, bemoaning a role as old man of the team. Still, he’ll enjoy a mentor’s role when it comes to his brother.
“Hopefully I can teach him a thing or two,” Alex said. “Hopefully I can take him under my wing in a different setting.”
Luke said he plans on returning to BU for his season season, delaying his pro career by one more year. Alex already has a huge head start there, unleashing a breakthrough season after earlier stints with the Minnesota Wild and Vegas Golden Knights.
“I’ve had to work on my consistency,” he said. “The management staff and coaching staff has really helped me with my confidence. I think I’ve more come into my own and surprised myself, too, with some of the things I’ve accomplished. I don’t want to be complacent and be satisfied with what I’ve done.”
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