PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Turns out the Pens first draft pick is also a Pens fan.
"It's pretty funny, a lot of people might say this, but I truly have, since I've been a little kid, been a big Penguins fans," said Penguins second round pick Tristan Broz Saturday. "I loved Crosby when I was younger. It kind of feels full circle to be drafted by them. I'm just super-excited and thankful."
The 18-year-old Broz grew up in Minnesota saying he's only been to Pittsburgh once for a USHL Classic. Did remember, if not the Fort Pitt Tunnel by name, the drive through calling it one of the coolest things he's seen entering the city. Other than that, Broz knows Pittsburgh is called 'The Steel City' and has a lot of hardworking people.
So how did he become a Pens fan?
"The Stanley Cups," Broz said. "Not to say I'm a bandwagon, but when I was pretty young I wanted to root for the team that was winning. Also, they were a fun team to watch always. I always loved Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, they were two of my role models."
"The Wild was always kind of a boring team to watch, played a boring style. Had to take my fandom elsewhere."
At some point Broz will put on the same uniform as Crosby and Malkin, but that may not be for a while. The 6', 179 pounder says he needs to grow into his body by hitting the weight room. He's also part of college hockey's top ranked recruiting class at the University of Minnesota.
The goal is to get to the NHL, but he may not start that journey professionally for a couple of years.
Broz's attacking mentality described by eliteprospects.com 'he's like a shark sniffing out blood in the water when he's off-the-puck in the offensive zone'. The 18-year-old described himself as a skilled, playmaking forward who uses his creativity, hands and stick-handling ability to set up chances for his teammates.
He scored 51 points in 54 games for the Fargo Force in the USHL last season, his second year with the team. He transitioned to left-wing for them, but played center most of his life and is comfortable going back there.
Those decisions will be coming, but for now, Broz wants to enjoy the moment.
"It's pretty hard to describe honestly," Broz said. "It's been such a whirlwind of emotions. I'm just really thankful of the Penguins organization drafting me."
