June 24, 2011
Big plans
With draft and college approaching, second-generation player Biggs has opened doors with size and toughness
by Gene Morris/Correspondent
Tyler Biggs (photo: Tom Sorensen)
Tyler Biggs was not always as physical and ferocious on the ice as he is today. But the 6-foot-2, self-described power forward plays an intimidating style that has landed him in the first round of many 2011 NHL mock drafts.
“My first memory of hockey was my dad putting me out on the ice when I was five or six,” Biggs said. “I cried the whole time. I hated it.”
These days, the Binghamton, N.Y.-born Biggs has developed into the type of player that makes opponents hate playing against him.
“He’s a power forward; he’s big and physical, and good offensively from the top of the circles down,” said Ron Rolston, the head coach of the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 team. “He fights for his teammates; he’s got a lot of leadership qualities to him as a person. There’s a lot to offer an NHL organization.”
Biggs’ father, Don, is a former professional player who had an exceptional minor league career. When Don’s stint with the Binghamton Rangers was over he moved on to the Cincinnati Cyclones, and it was in Ohio that Tyler played much of his youth hockey.
No matter where he’s played, Biggs has always left a mark. “I’m your prototypical power forward. I’m big, strong and I like to use my size to my advantage to try and open things up for other guys on the ice.”
It was after his sophomore year in high school that Biggs moved to Toronto and put up 87 points for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens AAA team. That was the year he realized hockey would play a huge role in his future.
After that year, Tyler began playing for the NTDP, where he has played the last two seasons.
“I decided I wanted to play college hockey and I figured the national team would be the best place for me,” he said. “When I got the opportunity to play for my country I took it.”
Biggs said he is excited to be joining Miami University in the fall and realizes that the NTDP played a large role in getting him there.
“I owe so much to the program for even being half the player I am now,” he said. “Before I came in I wasn’t too sure what kind of player I was. The fact that they put so much effort into the weight room and the power skating and all that is great. It shows in how they develop their guys and their track records and how it’s growing.
“More guys are in the NHL and the fact that they develop their players playing against bigger, stronger guys that are older, there’s more competition. To have that for two years and be able to play internationally at the same time, you’re not going to get better anywhere else.”
Biggs picked up 31 points this year playing for the NTDP and was a force against many college teams, even though he was not even 18 years old.
“At the college level – we played 17 college games this year – he was physically dominant in most of those games in terms of finishing people off and playing an intimidating game,” Rolston said. “In college you really don’t see a lot of the type of player that really plays that physical, physical style that can change the game. I think Tyler is that. The college game will be great for him and he can continue to improve his skill level and that will all translate very well over to the pro game.”
Before settling in for his first season at Miami, Biggs is anxiously awaiting the upcoming NHL draft.
“I went through this whole year trying to keep it in the back of my mind so I could focus on my game and now all of a sudden it’s here, it’s right in front of me,” he said. “It’s kind of crazy to think about, but at the same time I’m trying to take it all in and enjoy the process.”
With his desire to improve and do whatever it takes on the ice to help his team win Biggs surely enjoys playing the game more than his opponents enjoy playing against him.
“I understand my role as a player – I’m not going to be your Sidney Crosby,” Biggs said. “There’s a lot more parts to my game that I’m going to have to focus on, like how to do all the little things right. It’s gotten me this far and as long as I keep doing that it’ll probably carry me a little bit longer.”
Gene Morris can be reached at feedback@nyhockeyjournal.com.
AROUND JUNIORS
The United States Hockey League held its annual entry draft on May 16, and 22 players from the region were selected in the 19-round draft. … Bayport, N.Y., native and former New York Bobcats player Pat Cannone recently signed an entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators. Cannone finished his senior season at Miami University having scored 133 points in his career, good for 15th all-time in program history. … Liam McKillop of the New York Bobcats signed with Division 3 St. Anselm last week. McKillop is the fifth member of the Bobcats to sign to play collegiately. Seric Kapp of the Connecticut Jr. Wolfpack signed to play with Division 3 Wentworth for the upcoming season. … Long Island Gulls and New York Bobcats alum Keith Kinkaid was awarded the 2011 Ken Dryden award as the top goalie in ECAC Hockey. Kinkaid set the Union College single-season record with 25 wins and was the first Union goaltender to post a GAA of under 2.00 in the playoffs (1.90). … The Jersey Hitmen announced that Brandon Stroud and Justin Bruckel have committed to play Division 1 college hockey starting in the 2011 season. Stroud will be playing for Sacred Heart and Bruckel will be attending St. Lawrence. Stroud had 25 goals and 52 points in 41 games, and Bruckel had 20 goals and 52 assists in 42 games for the Hitmen.
-- GENE MORRIS
