Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/641682
10 MHJ // When we first called, you were at a Wild game. Are they your favorite NHL team? Riley Tufte // Yeah, I've always been a big fan of the Wild. I grew up going to games and they're definitely one of my favorite teams. MHJ // Are there any players around the league you looked up to? RT // I've always looked up to Nick Bjugstad, who now plays with the Florida Panthers. He played hockey with my brother [Gavin] and I always looked up to him. MHJ // He's a big, tall forward like yourself. RT // Yeah, we're a lot alike. MHJ // Did you try to emulate him growing up or do you ask for his input? RT // Right now, I'm kind of going through the same stuff that he went through. So, I go to him for advice and anything like that. He's always been a big influence on me. I've always looked up to him. MHJ // Since he was buddies with your older brother, the younger brother gets picked on and tries to tag along. Did they let you play shinny with them? RT // Yeah, they did. They always let me play and hang out with them. They'd beat up on me though (laugh). They wouldn't let me have it easy. MHJ // What attracted you to UMD? RT // I grew up going to Duluth with a ton of hockey tournaments and always went to at least one game while I was there. It's always been a big dream of mine to play for them. I like the coaching staff, facilities and they've got a great school. It's a bit of a smaller school, so I think that's the right fit for me. MHJ // They have a fantastic rink. How much does that play into it when you get a chance to see that place filled and rocking? RT // When I was younger, the DECC was there. AMSOIL has been around for a few years now. When they built that thing, it was amaz- ing. With everything, it was like, why wouldn't you want to go there? MINNESOTAHOCKEYJOURNAL.COM // MARCH.2016 Q&A PHOTO BY KEVIN WHITE INTERVIEW WITH RILEY TUFTE TUFTE'S TUNES TOP 5 FAVORITE SONGS 1. Carolina by Eric Church 2. I'm Comin' Over by Chris Young 3. Raise 'Em Up by Keith Urban (feat. Eric Church) 4. Like Jesus Does by Eric Church 5. Runnin' Outta Moonlight by Randy Houser