Tyler Biggs, Right Wing, 6"2 200, USDP

Committed to University of Miami Ohio

39th overall in bantam draft by Oshawa

31 games, 10 goals, 8 assists, 18 points, 88 pim

By Ian Esplen

Growing up in Cincinnati, the son of a local hockey legend, Tyler Biggs has always had big shoes to fill. Lucky for Biggs, he's used to big things. Big things, like being on the big stage, and playing for the United States at the U-17 tournament. Big goals, like the one he scored to win the United States the gold medal. Big hits and fights, like the ones he’s been involved in this season for the United States Under 18 team, while sticking up for teammates. Big pressure, that comes with wearing the "C" for the United States. Biggs has taken all these things in stride which is why he should be drafted at this June’s Draft.

Biggs grew up in Cincinnati, where his dad, a Minnesota North Stars draft pick, would star for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the IHL. Don Biggs, would go on to set 30 team records while playing and have his #22 retired by the Cyclones. While Don was leading the Cyclones, Tyler was learning his skills in the Cincinnati minor hockey association. After dominating all the local kids, Tyler needed a new challenge. Biggs moved on to star with the famed Toronto Jr. Canadiens, of the Toronto Minor hockey Association. There, Biggs would go on to put up 40 goals and 86 points in 72 games during the 08/09 season. He was then drafted 39th overall by the Oshawa Generals in the Bantam draft. Tyler decided to pass on the OHL and joined the United States development program for the 2009/10 season.

In his first year playing against older players Biggs did not look out of place at all. He put up 11 points in 24 games that season. After his first season, Biggs had minor hip surgery to fix his aching hip. In his second year with the USDP, Biggs was named captain. As captain, Biggs is having another solid year, recording 18 points in 31 games. He has also been involved in plenty of fights, while sticking up for teammates.

Red line report scout, Max Giese, had this to say about Biggs. "He's right up there (at the top of the USHL list) and could be the best choice of this bunch to be a good pro," Giese told B2011DW. "He's a fast, mean, physical in-your-face guy with some leadership qualities. If there's a knock on him it's that he doesn't have the real skills or finesse to his game, and he doesn't always bring that competitiveness on every shift. The consistency is not always there"(Bruins DW).

NHL Central Scouting’s Jack Barzee also gave his opinions on Biggs. “Biggs is another young player who has taken on the job as leader of his team, and does most of their fighting when they have to fight, if not all of it,” Central Scouting’s Jack Barzee told NHL.com. “I think the responsibility for standing up for teammates has taken a little away from his offensive finish … wearing that ‘C’ and doing those things. My gut feeling is that he’s on an uphill path”(Peters).

Biggs should make some GM very happy on draft day and turn out to be a quality NHL player. His assets are his character, grit, toughness, leadership, size, skating and skill. His flaws are he maybe limited to being one of those character 2nd/3rd liner and he can disappear for parts of a game. Overall Biggs should be able to develop into a character player that teammates love while scoring 20-30 goals.

NHL comparison- David Backes

Works cited

http://unitedstatesofhockey.com/2011/01/10/top-americans-in-nhl-central-scouting-mid-term-rankings/

http://bruins2011draftwatch.blogspot.com/2010/11/central-scouting-preliminary-rankings_27.html