Sept. 23, 2016
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - As the youngest member of this year's Penn State men's hockey team, freshman forward Brandon Biro is eager to show off his talents.
Time and again, the Nittany Lions emphasize hard work and a well-rounded skill set, two things Biro displays. Through two seasons with the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) between 2014 and 2016, Biro scored 70 goals and had 75 assists.
The Sherwood Park, Alberta native said that growing up so close to Edmonton is what he credits with inspiring his hockey journey. Edmonton, home to the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL, is also head coach Guy Gadowsky's hometown.
Biro named Ales Hemsky who played for Edmonton from 2005 and 2014, as his favorite Oiler, However, Biro named Sidney Crosby as his favorite hockey player of all time, something many Penn State fans would agree with.
Fellow Sherwood Park native, senior forward Dylan Richard, is Biro's mentor. Each freshman on the team is given a mentor, an older player on the team who is tasked with guiding the younger member through the challenges of being a student-athlete.
"Whenever I need anything he's the guy I ask and he's always got the answers," Biro said. "I have a good relationship with Mike Williamson as well, he also played on the same Junior team as me, and is kind of from the same area. [Richard, Williamson, and I] had the same coach in Juniors and had the same path here, so whatever I need they can help me out with it."
Prior to his first visit to Hockey Valley last year, Richard gave Biro his phone number and they communicated the weeks before Biro's visit. Biro appreciated the fact that someone on the current team reached out to him, and that he was able to get to know someone before visiting.
But what Biro pointed out that he finds most important about Penn State's program is that each player relates well to his teammates.
"Overall we have a bond with every guy, that's what's so special about this team," Biro said.
Biro was able to take in all Pegula Ice Arena had to offer for the first time last November, when he witnessed the Nittany Lions sweep Sacred Heart.
"It was unreal, the fans were crazy," Biro said. "Playing Juniors in Canada 1,000 fans is the most you're ever going to see, so coming here and seeing all the fans and how loud they were it was pretty cool to watch."
Having taken in the atmosphere of Pegula as a spectator, Biro is looking forward to skating out on the ice for the Nittany Lions.
"I can't wait for the first game," Biro said. "Since I got to experience the crowd for a game I can't wait to play in front of them. Practicing and being here all summer you're working out all the time and you just can't wait for that first game. Now it's getting close and it's going to be really exciting once the season starts going."