Riley Jack Tufte (born April 10, 1998) is an American professional ice hockey player who is a winger for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has played for the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League (USHL), and played college ice hockey for the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Tufte was drafted in the first round, 25th overall, of the 2016 NHL entry draft by the Dallas Stars.
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Playing career
Minors and college
Tufte played for Blaine High School in Minnesota, where he was awarded the 2015–16 Mr. Hockey Award in his senior year after he led all of Minnesota Class AA in goals scored. He also played two seasons for the Fargo Force of the USHL, accumulating 19 points in 34 games, before deciding to go back to high school for his senior year. In March 2016, Tufte was invited to Team USA's 2016 National Junior Evaluation Camp, to prepare for the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, however he broke his wrist during camp and could not play. Despite this, Tufte became the highest NHL draft pick in the history of the Fargo Force when he was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NHL entry draft. Instead of going pro right away, Tufte decided to pursue higher education at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Tufte missed the beginning of his freshman season due to an injury but he completed the season with 16 points. He was off to a stronger start in his sophomore season, leading the team in scoring as they advanced through the NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship.
Professional
On April 17, 2019, Tufte signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars after the conclusion of his junior collegiate season.
Unable to establish himself through four seasons within the Stars organization, Tufte left as a free agent and was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 1, 2023.
Having concluded his contract with the Avalanche, once again as a free agent, Tufte was signed a one-year, two-way deal with the Boston Bruins on July 1, 2024.
After two seasons within the Bruins organization and having concluded his contract, Tufte was signed as a free agent to a one-year, $850,000 contract with the New Jersey Devils for the 2026–27 season on July 1, 2026.
International play
Tufte's played in both the 2014 Under-17 Five Nations Cup and the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge. He helped Team USA place second in the 2014 Under-17 Five Nations Cup.
Tufte competed in the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament for Team USA, who finished fifth in the tournament. He later competed at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he helped Team USA secure a bronze medal.
Personal life
Tufte was born and grew up in Coon Rapids, Minnesota with three siblings, his father Jamie, and mother Amy, who is a nurse. At the age of 11, Tufte was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. As a child, he received an inspirational letter from retired NHL player Toby Petersen who also suffered from diabetes. In February 2020 Riley and his wife, Morgan, welcomed their first son.