Moderator: Crowned
Crowned wrote:Love the Biggs pick, I'm hoping for one of Grimaldi, Puempel or Percy with the 25.
TR50 wrote:Crowned wrote:Love the Biggs pick, I'm hoping for one of Grimaldi, Puempel or Percy with the 25.
This. Don't know much about Percy though.
Crowned wrote:I don't think he's that NHL ready. He'll play for St. Mike's again next year, then the Marlies the year after. I think you're more likely to see Blacker on the Leafs before you see Percy. I think he'll be a good #2/#3 guy, which is very reasonable with a late first round selection.
• A unanimous choice as captain in 2010-11, Biggs had 28 points (17-11--28) in 48 games competing in the USHL for the U.S. Under-18 National Team Development Program.
• Biggs has represented the U.S. in two Under-18 World Championships, winning gold in 2010 and 2011 -- he scored the overtime goal, his second of the game, in the semifinal against Canada propelling the U.S. to the gold medal game in 2011. He also won gold at the 2009 World Junior ‘A’ Challenge in Timmins, Ontario, scoring both goals in a 2-1 win over Team Ontario in the final.
• His father, Don Biggs, was drafted in 1983 by Minnesota (156th overall) and in 1987 he played 11 games with the Philadelphia Flyers. After a successful stint with the Cincinnati Cyclones in the IHL, his jersey (No. 22) was retired. He is currently the head coach and GM for the Junior ‘A’ Queen City Steam, in the Central States Hockey League.
• He wears number 22 because it is the same number that his father wore and he will attend Miami University, located 40 minutes from his current home, in the fall of 2011.
• Prior to joining the NTDP, Biggs had 40 goals and 87 points in 72 games with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens AAA team in 2008-09.
• One of his favorite movies is Youngblood starring Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, and featuring his father as an on-ice stuntman for the film.
FAVORITES
NHL team: Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL player: Jarome Iginla and Dustin Brown
Shootout move: “Close eyes and shoot the puck”
Goal celebration: “One arm with stick in the air”
Video game: NHL 2011
Movie: Youngblood
TV show: One Tree Hill
Actress: Sophia Bush
Website: NHL.com
Book: “Playing with Fire” by Peter Robinson
Pump-up song: “Monster” by Skillet
Home-cooked meal: Steak
Activity away from the rink: Golf
NHL Central Scouting's Jack Barzee
“He has that leadership quality … that desire, that passion, that competitiveness. He just never quits. He's a young player who has taken the role as leader of his team. He does most of their fighting when they have to fight. He's kind of the guy that when someone starts picking on somebody, he's standing up for them. I think while wearing the 'C' may have taken a little away from his offensive finish, my gut feeling is that I can't think of anything else but an uphill path for Tyler."
U.S. Under-18 head coach Ron Rolston
“He's a big, strong kid and is an extreme character player. He skates well and is physical and tough. He shoots and attacks the net well with or without the puck. He's certainly someone on our team who's a physical presence, and he makes room for a lot of our skilled players.”
Your father (Don) played in the NHL and was a very good minor pro player. How big of an influence has he been in your hockey career thus far?
Tyler: I think any hockey player who is lucky enough to have their dad as an ex-pro player can tell you that they have a major impact on their career. For me, my dad and I are very close and he has coached me for about 13 years. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am today.
You had a pretty good year while playing with the Team USA Juniors, what (if anything) made the transition from playing with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens to playing against older competition in the USHL so smooth?
Tyler: The transition was definitely in my favor more then some of the other guys, I think just because of my size and strength. A lot of guys are still growing into their bodies at 17 and playing against 18, 19, and 20-year-olds isn’t exactly the easiest thing to jump into and perform at your normal standard.
At this years Under-17’s tourney you were lights out, with 5 goals and 6 points in 6 games, and you scored the gold-medal winning goal for Team USA. Where does that sit as far as highlights in your young career go so far?
Tyler: The U-17 Challenge for me was easily the highlight of my career. To be a team that wasn’t expected to win and to battle through all the adversity was a major accomplishment. I was playing AA in Cincinnati for the majority of my career so I had little experience with any big tournaments even close to that one.
What do you believe are your strengths as a player are, and is there anything you hope to improve on moving forward?
Tyler: My strengths are definitely my size, strength and leadership. I try to utilize them as much as possible in my game. For me some things to work on are my offensive presence and being more physical with the puck as I am without.
Is there a player in the NHL you model your game after?
Tyler: A player in the NHL that I try to style my game after is Jarome Iginla. He is a true power forward as well as a great all-round team captain.
What made you opt to go the collegiate route and commit to the University of Miami, rather than go to the OHL?
Tyler: Growing up I always had in my mind playing college hockey. When I made the move to Canada being surrounded by the OHL had me second guess it. I decided to play Collegiate hockey because I knew hockey wasn’t going to last forever and an education these days is very important. Committing to Miami was a major decision for me but an easy one. The only way I could explain it is that it just felt right.
TSN Scout - Grant McCagg:
Perhaps the most rugged forward to ever come out of the US development program, Biggs impressed scouts throughout the season with his robust and pro-style game. Strengths - Already built like a man, Biggs dominated his age group in terms of physical maturity and strength. Not afraid to drop the gloves or run over an opponent. Solid positional player, drives hard to the net, possesses a hard shot, strong character. Weaknesses - Feet and hands are average, limited offensive upside, lacks creativity. Prone to taking bad penalties, will need more discipline. NHL Upside - Has been compared to Los Angeles Kings' forward Kyle Clifford. Should be a tough, intimidating second or third-line winger who will battle hard.
