Danny Biega

History

2008-09: Danny Biega captained the Salisbury School team that won the New England prep title. He scored 8 goals with 14 assists for 22 points. Biega was tabbed the Defenseman of the Year and named to the All New England Division Ice Hockey All-Star Team.

2009-10: Joined brothers Alex and Michael as a freshman at Harvard University. In 32 games for the Crimson Biega scored 5 goals and added 4 assists for 9 points and was -5 with 47 PIM. Harvard as a team struggled, finishing 9-21-3 and tied for ninth in the 12-team ECACHL.

2010-11: Biega was the leading-scorer for Harvard as a sophomore with 11 goals and a team-high 19 assists. The defenseman scored five times on the power play and had three game-winning goals; finishing with 34 PMs and a +2 plus/minus for a Crimson team that was a disappointing 12-21-1.

2011-12: Biega was Harvard’s second leading scorer behind forward Alex Killorn (TBL) in his junior season. He played in all 34 games for the Crimson, scoring 10 goals with 25 assists, and was plus-14 with 41 penalty minutes. Harvard finished third in ECAC Hockey during the regular season – and tied 11 games during the year. The Crimson reached the championship game of the ECAC Hockey playoffs – falling to Frozen Four-bound Union, 3-1.

2012-13: Biega signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Hurricanes in March following his senior season at Harvard and made his pro hockey debut with Carolina’s AHL affiliate in Charlotte. He had no points or penalty minutes in one regular season game and played in three of five games during the Checkers first round playoff series against Oklahoma City. He had 2 assists and was +1 with 8 penalty minutes in the series. Biega was a captain for Harvard as a senior. In 32 games he scored 2 goals with 9 assists and was -10 with 43 penalty minutes. The Crimson finished last in ECAC Hockey.

2013-14: Biega skated for Carolina AHL affiliate Charlotte in his first pro season. He scored 3 goals with 15 assists and was minus-6 with 22 penalty minutes in 65 regular season games. The Checkers missed the playoffs; finishing fourth in the West Division. 

2014-15: Biega made his NHL debut with Carolina on March 19th in a game against Montreal and played in 10 games for the Hurricanes; spending most of his second pro season with Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate Charlotte. He had 2 assists with no penalties and was -5, averaging 16 minutes of ice time during his time with Carolina. Biega scored 2 goals with 12 assists and was -20 with 89 penalty minutes in 69 AHL games for the Checkers. Charlotte missed the AHL playoffs, finishing fourth in the West Division. 

Talent Analysis

Biega doesn’t have imposing size, but like franchise cornerstone Justin Faulk he is much stronger than he appears at first glance. In his third professional season last year, Biega received his first call up to the NHL, playing 10 games and logging more than 16 minutes a night. Biega won’t wow you with one part of his game, but he is a reliable, all-around player who can already contribute as a depth defender.

Future

Biega will compete for a spot on Carolina’s roster in training camp, but could also be a stabilizing veteran with the Checkers this year. Biega will likely continue to be a fringe depth defenseman that can reliably play in the team’s bottom pairing in a pinch.