ANN ARBOR, Mich. - The United States Hockey League today announced that Team USA forward Alex Tuch (Baldwinsville, New York) has been named co-recipient of the 2013-14 USHL Scholar-Athlete Award.

Established in 2007, the USHL Scholar-Athlete Award recognizes players for their success both on the ice and in the classroom. Candidates are nominated by their coaches, teachers and academic counselors based on their grade-point-average, coursework and overall school participation.
 
Tuch ranked third among all U.S. National Under-18 Team skaters in points in 2013-14, netting 13 goals and adding 19 assists in 26 USHL contests, while also posting a plus-18 rating.  He helped lead the Under-18 squad to a 19-5-2 (W-T-OTL) regular-season record in USHL competition and Team USA was 8-1-0 in games that he scored a goal. Tuch registered four multi-goal efforts, including a five-point night (2-3) in the 7-3 victory over the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Oct. 20, 2013. The five points in one game equaled a USHL season high.

Overall, Tuch racked up 64 points (29-35) in 61 total games between USHL, collegiate and international opponents and helped his team capture the gold medal at the 2014 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s Under-18 World Championship in Lappeenranta, Finland.

In addition to his busy hockey schedule, Tuch was a straight “A” student at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan and recently graduated with an overall 4.0 grade point average. His coursework comprised of classes in Literature, World Economics, Government, Computer Applications and Statistics. He was also active in the school’s Disability Awareness Program, working daily with physically and mentally disabled students. Tuch also participated in community service projects for the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Ann Arbor Veterans Hospital and Ann Arbor Avalon House.

Tuch will continue his hockey career and education pursuits next season at Boston College. He was recently ranked 12th among North American skaters in the final NHL Entry Draft rankings by Central Scouting, the highest-rated USHL skater.

Tuch is the first player from Team USA to earn USHL Scholar-Athlete Award, while Omaha Lancers forward Anthony Angello was named co-recipient in 2013-14.