Luke Tuch will begin another season outside the NHL after the Columbus Blue Jackets reassigned the former Montreal Canadiens prospect to the American Hockey League.
Columbus included Tuch among five players sent to the Cleveland Monsters as the organization continues reducing its preseason roster ahead of the regular season.
Oiva Keskinen, Charlie Elick, Guillaume Richard and goaltender Nolan Lalonde were also assigned to Cleveland.
The Blue Jackets made additional roster moves by placing Isac Lundestrom and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins on injured status, keeping both players out of the active lineup.
For Tuch, the latest move represents another setback in his effort to establish himself as a full-time NHL player. The 24-year-old brings considerable size and a physical approach, but he has yet to turn those attributes into a consistent NHL opportunity.
Tuch Gets Another Opportunity in Columbus
Tuch was selected by Montreal with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He spent the following four seasons playing college hockey at Boston University before beginning his professional career.
The forward later became part of the Canadiens’ organization, spending the previous two seasons with the Laval Rocket. However, his offensive numbers weren’t enough to secure a regular place in Montreal’s NHL plans.
During his most recent full AHL campaign with Laval, Tuch finished with 14 points in 68 games.
Montreal eventually moved him to Columbus in June in a trade that brought Hunter McKown to the Canadiens. The transaction offered both players an opportunity to restart their careers in new organizations.
Tuch now finds himself back in the AHL, where he’ll have to build momentum and demonstrate that he’s ready for another NHL opportunity.
The Road Back Starts in Cleveland
The Blue Jackets currently have 29 players remaining as they continue making the final decisions before opening night. With roster spots becoming increasingly limited, players on the bubble have little margin for error.
Tuch’s assignment doesn’t necessarily close the door on his NHL ambitions. A productive stretch with the Cleveland Monsters could put him back on Columbus’ radar if the team needs additional help during the season.
For now, however, the former Canadiens draft pick has another challenge ahead of him.
His time in Montreal is over, and his next task is proving that he belongs in Columbus’ NHL plans.
