TYPE ONE TUF

DSKATE MINNESOTA - AUGUST 8-11, 2024 @ TCO SPORTS GARDEN IN VADNAIS HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A.

FEATURED PLAYER

Riley Tufte

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

When Riley Tufte began his journey, pursuing his dream to play in the NHL, he never imagined he would have to do it with Type 1 Diabetes riding shotgun.

As most young hockey players do - aspiring to follow in their role models footsteps, it all starts with a love for the game. But when you're a T1D hockey player, it often takes a trail-blazer to help truly light that passion. In Riley's case, it was Dallas Stars forward, and fellow T1D hockey player, Toby Petersen. Toby wrote Riley a heartfelt letter that inspired him to follow his dream of playing at the highest level possible.

A meaningful gesture from one T1D hockey player to another that unlocked Riley's desire to follow in Toby's footsteps. And, as Toby passed his passion on to Riley, Riley wants to do the same.

It was that passion which led the 6'6 Colorado Avalanche forward to realize that it was his time to give back and to help grow the next generation of T1D hockey players.

And it's that passion which led Riley to bring Dskate to Minnesota.

MR. HOCKEY

SHIFT BY SHIFT

Riley's love of hockey started before he even knew he was in for. Strapped on skates from the time he could get up and go, the Coon Rapids, Minnesota native simply had a knack for the game.

Diagnosed at age 11, on the cusp of his teenage years, Riley did not let his T1D stand in his way. Point in case, with a strong and loving family supporting him, Tufte skated his way into the history books while playing for Blaine High School in Minnesota, earning the prestigious Mr. Hockey award in 2015-16. While tearing it up for BHS, the towering forward also found time to skate with the Fargo Force of the USHL, earning plenty of attention from scouts that landed him square in the sights of the Dallas Stars.

Selected 25th overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars, Riley became the highest drafted player in Fargo Force history while also earning the prestigious nod of being one of the very few T1D players to ever be drafted into the NHL.

A BULLDOG

THE SMART CHOICE

Despite becoming a 1st round selection for the Dallas Stars, Tufte had his sights set on earning a degree, and hopefully an NCAA Men's Championship, as he enrolled at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Although a wrist injury kept him from skating for Team USA previously, Tufte's play for the Bulldogs (top scorer as a sophomore) would catch the eye of the National Program and earned him the right to suit up for his country; earning a Bronze Medal at the 2018 World Junior Championships.

Finishing his tenure at UMD and turning his sights to his pro debut, Tufte would sign a deal with the Dallas Stars in 2019, bringing his hockey journey full-circle as he made his NHL debut on November 13, 2021 against the Philadephia Flyers.

AN AVALANCHE OF SUPPORT

ONE SHOT AT A TIME

While Riley's journey has had its fair share of ups and downs, life as a pro hockey player has certainly shed new light on what it means to be tough.

Getting his boots wet for the Texas Stars of the AHL, Tufte's game has grown year in and year out, all while he and his wife Morgan, embarked on the role of starting their family. Throw in some T1D management - on a daily basis, and you can guess at how crazy life can sometimes get.

With experience gained and a fresh start ahead with the Colorado Avalanche, Riley is also ready to embark on his journey of giving back. As Toby Petersen did for him when he was getting his start, Tufte is excited to give back to his hometown and to inspire a brand new generation of T1D hockey player to follow in his footsteps.

The family, support and community that helped Riley become the pro he is today is the same kind of support you will find when you join Riley and the Dskate family at Dskate Minnesota in 2024.

We hope to see you there.

OUR PROVEN PROGRAM MODEL

Dskate Pillars

Dskate is built upon four fundamental pillars of success designed to achieve a greater quality-of-life for athletes and their families living with diabetes;

Confidence