Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1071236
FUN FACT: After winning gold, Rooney's position on her Wikipedia page was changed from "goaltender" to "Secretary of Defense." She later received an official congratulatory letter from U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis. Favorite place to eat in Duluth? Tavern on the Hill Dogs or cats? Dogs. What's your major? Business marketing. I want to specifically go into sports marketing. ? F S H O O T S : R i g h t POSITION: THE TUFTO FILE Chaska HEIGHT: COLLEGE: Quinnipiac (Hamden, Conn.) 5' 7" HOMETOWN: FUN FACT: Tufto was the highest- scoring freshman in all of college hockey in 2017-18, posting 9 goals and 32 assists for 41 points in 38 games. F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 13 MHJ // You had a backyard rink? Tufto // We had one for probably 17 years. I credit a lot of my success to that. Growing up in Minnesota, I would be out there a lot. My dad would set up some obstacles for me to shoot, pass and stickhandle around. And just playing with buddies out there and playing 3-on-3 hockey. I grew up with guys like Shane Gersich and Mikey Reilly who are in the NHL. I was a younger guy in their eyes but they'd always invite me out and let me play. At the time I don't think they realized just how big of an eye-opener it was for me because they were older guys and they were just so much better. I just became a sponge to them and learned from them. MHJ // What are you working on now? Tufto // Last year I didn't do a great job in the goal col- umn. Shooting has been a big thing. Strength and tech- nique, but also the ability to think the game at a higher level and one step ahead. I've been really trying to keep my eyes up. Look at the net and look where I'm shooting and practicing different ways of scoring. It's not just shooting. Maybe it's tipping or rebounds or just having a knack for finding pucks in front of the net, wraparounds, being in tight and getting the puck up. You have to find different ways to score. MHJ // Any advice for other kids who may be smaller in stature? Tufto // You don't want to get discouraged. Focus on yourself and understand you have your strengths and weaknesses. The game is trending more on speed and skill. Size just isn't as huge of a thing now, which is great for small guys. Small guys are tearing up the NHL right now. You can see that on TV every night. Don't worry if colleges aren't looking at you. If you know you're a good player, stay the course and keep working. MHJ // How do you work on hockey sense and skills? Tufto // At a young age on our backyard rink, my dad always emphasized how important it was to keep your head up and have that vision and use your periph- eral vision. Try creative plays that a normal person wouldn't do on the ice. That's been drilled into my mind. The creativity factor: If you're able to have it and use it with con- fidence, it can go a long way. Photos / ?????????????????????????????? "It's not just shooting. Maybe it's tipping or rebounds or just having a knack for finding pucks in front of the net, wraparounds, being in tight and getting the puck up. You have to find different ways to score."