Alex Tuch left for the 2016 NHL Prospects Tournament with the goal of being “one of the best prospects” in Traverse City, Mich. He saw it as an opportunity to prove to the Wild organization that he was ready for the NHL.

Tuch, 20, indeed stood out as Minnesota’s best player.

Flanking center Joel Eriksson-Ek on the team’s top line, Tuch finished the four-game tournament with two goals, including the game-winner in a 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in the seventh-place game Tuesday afternoon.

The game-winner was a highlight, but Iowa Wild coach Derek Lalonde, who coached the prospects in Michigan, said Tuch had a bigger moment in a loss to the Carolina Hurricanes over the weekend when he came to the aid of teammate Sam Anas. Related Articles Who’s coming to Wild training camp?

Wild bring veteran winger Tomas Fleischmann in for tryout

Wild’s Alex Tuch aims to be ‘best’ at prospects tournament

World Cup of Hockey: How have Wild players fared?

St. Paul tap water turns X floor into Wild ice

After Anas was laid out by a big hit, Tuch immediately dropped the gloves.

“I thought it was a cheap shot,” Tuch said. “Even in college, I would’ve pushed the guy around a little bit and threw him up against the boards or something. I let him know I thought it was a cheap shot … and then I just dropped the gloves.

“It was my first fight, and I got some good feedback from my team. That’s not really what I was focused on. I was more concerned with sticking up for Sam.”

Anas was diagnosed with a concussion and missed the rest of the tournament.

“That was a big moment for Alex, I thought,” Lalonde said. “He obviously comes out of college where there’s no fighting (and) that was his first opportunity to stick up for a teammate — and he never hesitated.”

Minnesota lost games to the Dallas Stars, the Hurricanes and the New York Rangers in pool play before upending the Blackhawks to cap the competition on a high note.

Lalonde said the team played with a renewed energy after Tuch’s fight.

“I thought we were better from that moment on,” he said. “We out-chanced Carolina, New York and Chicago. It’s unfortunate we weren’t able to come away with wins in those other games. I’m disappointed we went 1-3. I thought we deserved a better fate than that.”

Tuch said he won’t hesitate to stick up for his teammates wherever he starts the season — whether in the NHL or American Hockey League — but stressed that he won’t be looking for fights.

“That’s not my game,” he said. “I’m not going to try and jump someone for no reason. That said, I won’t have any fear of dropping the gloves it if it’s necessary.”

Meanwhile, defenseman Gustav Olofsson, center Zach Schroeder and right winger Alex Petan also scored goals for the Wild, and right winger Christoph Bertschy added a pair.

After scoring in the opening game against the Stars, Olofsson went down with an sprained MCL and missed the rest of the tournament. He played 52 games for the Iowa Wild last season before needing season-ending shoulder surgery.

Olofsson had a puncher’s chance at making the Wild’s 23-man roster, so his injury comes at an inopportune time. Anas will be monitored in the coming days, though he was likely destined for the AHL to start the season anyway.

Minnesota opens training camp Friday. The team announced its 38-man roster Monday, but it is sure to grow with their prospects returning home.

“I think I grew a lot in Traverse City,” Tuch said. “It was a really great experience. I think some of the older guys even wish they had Traverse City to get them going a little bit. It got my game legs under me, so now I’m ready to go.”