Some may be familiar with Tristan Broz’s name, but if not, they will be soon. Broz is currently a forward in the Pittsburgh Penguins system and assigned to the AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
Prior to turning professional, Broz played in the USHL with Fargo Force and the NCAA with the University of Minnesota and the University of Denver. Broz played three seasons with Fargo Force of the USHL. He dressed in 108 games and accumulated 34 goals and 56 assists. During his third season with the Force, Broz served as an Alternate Captain of the team. In the 2021-2022 season, Broz started his collegiate career at the University of Minnesota. He suited up for 36 games and tallied six goals with five assists. In the 2022-2023 season, Broz went to the University of Denver, where he would call home for the next two seasons. In the span of those two seasons, he suited up for 83 games and tallied 26 goals with 42 assists. Broz spoke on what the biggest difference is between the USHL, NCAA, and now the AHL: “The speed of the game. Every level you go up, players get bigger, faster, stronger. You notice that difference from college to pro. Everyone is really smart and knows where they are on the ice with positioning so there aren’t as many breakdowns.”
Being drafted is a night most players remember for the rest of their lives, however, Broz’s experience was different than most players. Broz was drafted in 2021, Round 2, #58 overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“It was weird because it was the COVID draft for one. I remember Bill Daly announced my name wrong. I remember being angry for a lot of it because I was sliding, not being picked, and then my name was announced wrong. It was the COVID draft, so I wouldn’t say it’s the experience most guys have. It was during the day and I was at the USA Hockey Camp. It was cool, I think it set in more seeing my family’s reaction and how happy they were. Looking back on it, I wish I would have enjoyed it more but it was a weird experience.”
– Tristan Broz
Signing the first contract of a professional career can be overwhelming, with a sense of relief rolled into one. In April 2024, Broz was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins. “That was one thing that you can’t really put into words. It’s just something you’ve dreamed of, playing pro hockey since I was six years old. Putting the pen to paper. Those next couple of weeks, after coming out of here, going back home, and just having it all sink in all summer, like wow, I’m really a professional hockey player. This is my job. I come into the rink everyday and I would walk out of the rink and say “I was just at work”. It doesn’t really feel real, but it’s just so cool. I’m blessed to be able to do this for a living.”
Every player has an in-game mindset and focuses on that prior to getting to the rink for the game. Every player is different when it comes to their mindset while on the ice. “I think that kind of changes depending on the situation, the game, you know what my role is, who I’m playing against that night. I think I can do a lot of different things. I can be more of a shutdown-type player, and I can also be more offensive when the time calls. It depends on the moment. I think for me, the mindset always is just to go out there. I’m a competitor and that’s always a mindset for me.”
The uniqueness of a player plays into how scouts form their reports on players and how others view the player. For Broz, he is always out there on the ice, reading plays and waiting for the next chance to get the puck. “I’m still figuring things out. I’m young, but I think I have the ability to be a real impact player at the next level. I think that is a combination of skating and stick handling. I’m building more hockey sense that goes along with it and learning to put it all together. It’s a combination of being able to skate really well, handle the puck, and make plays. Learning to be a 200-foot player as well.”
Summers aren’t easy for professional hockey players. They must train in the off-season to stay in game shape for the next season and advance to the next level.
“Summer’s are honestly harder than the season for me. I love it, but I also hate it. It sucks to be away from the game and not playing or doing anything meaningful. I just work out back in my gym and back home, Empowers Performance, with my trainers Tommy Powers, Steve Cherekos, and Sam Rhody. I just work out there and do a lot of different stuff in the gym. I get on the ice a lot as well and work on whatever I feel I need to work on from last season, and there is a lot that goes into it, but biking, running, and being on the ice helps the most.”
– Broz on the off-season
Thus far in the 2024-2025 season, Broz has played in 14 games and tallied seven goals with two assists. He has an attack mentality. He creates plays and options for his teammates on the ice and adapts well to any situation that occurs on the ice.
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