Odeen Peter Tufto (born January 9, 1997) is an American professional ice hockey center who is currently playing with the Fort Wayne Komets in the ECHL.
Once the Bobcats were eliminated from the playoffs in 2021, Tufto concluded his collegiate career by signing an entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the 2021–22 season.
[4] Growing up, Tufto was a fan of the Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team and attended three of their model camps.
[8] Tufto played 30 games with the Force before being traded to the Tri-City Storm alongside Charlie Dovorany in exchange for Paul Washe and Philip Alftberg.
As a result of his success, he was announced as one of 16 semifinalists for the Walter Brown Award as the best American-born NCAA Division I hockey player in New England.
[16] The following month, Tufto was named one of three finalists for the ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year Award[17] and selected for the Third-team All-ECAC.
[18] Tufto returned to the Bobcats for his sophomore season and began playing center instead of his original position of left winger.
[23] During the offseason prior to his junior season, Tufto was invited to attend the National Hockey League's (NHL) Detroit Red Wings 2019 Development Camp.
[24] Upon returning to the Bobcats, Tufto accepted the position of assistant captain and named to the ECAC Hockey Second Team for a second straight season.
"[6] Following the signing, he was immediately assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, on an amateur try-out contract.
[1] As a free agent from the Lightning, Tufto continued his career in the AHL after agreeing to a one-year contract with the Tucson Roadrunners, the primary affiliate to the Arizona Coyotes, on August 31, 2022.