6’1” – 175 lbs
DEFENSE
TORONTO MARLBOROS
A calm and confident player, it's no secret that Tristan Bertucci is considered to be one of top defensemen ahead of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection Draft. Bertucci is a two-way defenseman playing for the GTHL’s Toronto Marlboros. Wearing the “A” for the Marlboros during the 2019-2020 season, Bertucci has all the qualities of a leader on the ice. He’s a reliable player who can be used in pretty much any situation. He’s one of those defenders who always seems to be where he is needed. Whether it's staying back to bail out his goaltender or being open for a pass in the offensive zone, Bertucci knows where he needs to be.
His positioning and ability to read the game are all attributed to his high-end hockey IQ. Bertucci’s intelligence on the ice ranks atop all 2005 born defenseman. He processes the game quicker than the competition. He doesn’t need to play the game at such a high-pace as he is always a step ahead of opposing players. Bertucci likes to play a calm game and oftentimes is not playing at the fastest pace. This isn’t because he is slow but rather because he is a calculated defender who doesn’t take unnecessary risks. He focuses on being in the right place and making the right play rather than trying to do everything himself.
Just because he isn’t always speeding down the ice, it doesn’t mean that Tristan Bertucci is a slow player. In fact it is quite the opposite. His skating is one of his best skills on the ice. He can turn on the jets in the blink of an eye and is an elusive skater who is difficult to read. Bertucci is a great team player and has offensive upside as well. He is a strong playmaker who can execute tough stretch passes. He is a strong quarterback on the power play and is tough to read when the puck is on his stick. Improving his shot is arguably the biggest area of his game that he needs to improve.