2018 Minnesota vs Minnesota State | WCHA Men's Hockey

Ahead Of Golden Gophers Tie, Tuomie Is Pacing No. 4 Minnesota State Forward

Ahead Of Golden Gophers Tie, Tuomie Is Pacing No. 4 Minnesota State Forward

Parker Tuomie has stormed out of the gates, and he's hoping to lead his Minnesota State team to a sweep of the in-state rival Golden Gophers this weekend.

Oct 31, 2018 by Jacob Messing
Ahead Of Golden Gophers Tie, Tuomie Is Pacing No. 4 Minnesota State Forward

Goals have come easy for the stacked No. 4-ranked Minnesota State Mavericks, who are off to a strong 5-1 start largely spearheaded by junior Parker Tuomie.

“Every time I come out on the ice sheet, I want to win,” Tuomie told Shane Frederick of The Mankato Free Press. “Some guys get pretty angry at me from time to time — even my own teammates — because I get too intense about the games. I think that’s just the way I am.”

Last season, that intensity helped Tuomie post 37 points (9 G, 28 A) in 40 games; his 28 assists were 18th among NCAA players in 2017-18. Even as a near point-per-game player, Tuomie still found himself fifth in team scoring at season’s end. 

Scoring has been the driving force in Mankato, and offensive numbers are always savory stats; Tuomie’s competitive drive has seen him take the next step as an upperclassman.

The junior has registered four goals and 11 points in six games this season, which places him tied for third in league scoring early on. Hot starts are always nice, and while many players cool off, it’s worth noting that Tuomie started each of his first two seasons with the Mavericks scoring no more than three points in 10 games.

He bested that just over the weekend, tallying five assists on the team’s seven goals in a sweep of WCHA foe, Alaska. With 11 points, Tuomie has been in on nearly half—42.3 percent—of the team’s 26 total goals.

Coach Mike Hastings’ team is shaping up to be an even more dangerous team than last season, and Tuomie’s ability to help lead his team nightly would bode well for building on their 29-10-1 record from a season ago and finding NCAA Tournament success.

In juniors, Tuomie was a goal-scoring machine, but his college career has seen him start to develop his playmaking side with just 17 goals in 79 games coming into the season. With four goals through six games, Tuomie has been more willing to shoot, and his confidence is seeing the game come to him easier.

Hastings hasn’t been shy to discuss the growth he’s seen from Tuomie and his ability to become a complete player on both ends of the ice. Now his competitive drive is taking over and everything is coming naturally.

Tune in this weekend, right here on FloHockey to see Tuomie lead the Mavericks against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a home-and-home matchup.


Have a question or a comment for Jacob Messing? You can find him on Twitter @Jacob_Messing.