Detroit Red Wings: 3 NCAA players to watch during the 2020-21 season

In terms of defenseman, fans of the NCHC should keep an eye on Antti Tuomisto as he competes for the University of Denver in his first season of NCAA hockey.

On the last slide, it was mentioned how Robert Mastrosimone had already gotten through his freshman campaign with Boston University; that is not the case for Antti Tuomisto. The Finnish defenseman is entering his first season as a member of the University of Denver team in one of (if not) the best college hockey conference.

Denver plays in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), which is where each of the last three teams who have won the last four national championships play. Tuomisto is stepping into a tough conference and will have to showcase his skill set to excel during his NCAA career.

Tuomisto is a 6-foot-4, 194-pound, and right-handed shooting defenseman who will get his first taste of the NCHC in the “NCHC Bubble” that is beginning December 1st. In 2019-20, Tuomisto played for Ässät U20, where he posted 15 goals and 34 assists for 49 total points over 48 games played.

While Tuomisto is known to be a bigger-bodied two-way defenseman, his game leans towards his defense. However, his shot is a plus aspect of his game that allows him to get pucks on net and create scoring chances in the offensive zone.

For fans looking to keep an eye on Tuomisto, check out the NCHC bubble and tune into the University of Denver’s contests. Tuomisto will look to get his first taste of North American hockey and collegiate hockey in one of the NCAA’s toughest conferences.