Kyle Bigos
Image: Merrimack

Kyle Bigos

Hometown:

Upland California

Currently Playing In:

NCAA

Birthday:

1989-05-12

Position:

D

Eligible for draft:

2009

Shoots:

Right

Drafted:

2009

Height:

6-5

Acquired:

4th round (99th overall), 2009

Weight:

230 lbs.

Probability of Success
  • C

History

2006-07: Kyle Bigos appeared with the Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL) this season.

2007-08: A rookie with the Vernon Vipers (BCHL), Bigos potted a pair of goals and 17 points, along with an impressive 152 penalty minutes.

2008-09: Bigos’ second season with the Vernon Vipers (BCHL), which was superior to his rookie season, saw the defenseman double his offensive numbers (8g+25a through 58 games). He also tallied 126 penalty minutes and took the BCHL title with the Vipers.

2009-10: Bigos skated in 36 of 37 games for Merrimack as a freshman as the Warriors won 16 games for the first time since 1993-94 and finished tied for sixth in Hockey East. He scored 4 goals with 7 assists and was +3 with 94 PMs. The Warriors split the first two games of their Hockey East quarterfinal series with Boston University before falling to the Terriers in a decisive third game.

2010-11: Bigos played an integral role for Merrimack as a sophomore as the Warriors enjoyed their finest season since joining Hockey East in 1989-90. Bigos skated in 33 of 39 games for the Warriors, missing six games with a knee injury, and was an imposing presence from his defense spot, using his size and combativeness to make things easier for Merrimack goalie Joe Cannata (VAN). Bigos was +4 with a team-leading 127 PMs and chipped in offensively with 2 goals and 6 assists. Merrimack advanced to the Hockey East championship game after finishing in fourth place and took Notre Dame to overtime before falling, 4-3, in the NCAA tournament.

2011-12: Bigos contributed a career-high 17 points to the Warriors attack as a junior while again leading Merrimack in penalty minutes. He scored 4 goals with 13 assists and was an even plus/minus with 125 penalty minutes. Merrimack appeared headed to its second straight NCAA tournament berth after an impressive 9-0-1 start but struggled late in the season; finishing fifth in Hockey East and falling to Maine in the conference quarterfinals.

 

Talent Analysis

Mean, nasty, and fierce in defense of his teammates. Bigos is a mountain of a man and knows how to use his size to his advantage. Speed and quickness are an issue as they are with many men of his size, however his solid positioning helps him compensate for both.


 

Future

The NCAA isn't an ideal place for a player whose physicality is his primary calling card, however Bigos has shown enough with his positioning, his hard shot, and his work ethic that it isn't unreasonable to see him carving out a career as an NHL depth blueliner. He's a willing combattant and a player willing to stand up for his teammates, both qualities that are sought in end of the roster type players. He would likely still need at least a couple years in the ECHL/AHL before making that push however.

 

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