Growing up the youngest of four brothers, Marc Biega knows all about overcoming a challenge.
The slick defenceman's main challenge at the moment is to help his Coquitlam Express rack up the points in the stretch drive for the BCHL season. And racking up points is something Biega has been doing a lot of these days.
Following the Christmas break, Biega notched five goals in just his first two games. It was good enough to earn him BCHL Player-of-the-Week honours.
"I don't know, it must be Christmas or something. It just happened," said the 19-year-old product of Pointe-Claire, Que. "I was always an offensive player. At the beginning of the year it wasn't really going well offensively but now since I'm burying it and getting a lot of points it's going real well."
But the points are secondary for Biega, who puts the team's success as his top priority. And with the wins will likely come the attention of college scouts, something Biega hopes will solidify his plans for next season.
"I'm hoping to get a college commitment but hopefully I can continue playing well and that will happen soon," he said.
All three of Biega's brothers chose the college route, and Biega has been following in their footsteps for most of his life.
"I'm the youngest one out of four so they really helped me, especially playing with them growing up. Them being older, it really helped my development."
Biega doesn't see a model for his game in the pro ranks.
"I don't compare myself to any NHL players. I just try to do my best and be offensive and help the team out," he said, adding his brothers have always been his biggest role models.
His four goals and 24 points in 39 games with the Express last year helped him land the team's Top Defencemen Award. And the 6', 192-lb. blue-liner has improved on those totals this year. In 35 games with the Express, Biega has 12 goals and 25 points, good enough for seventh in defencemen scoring in the BCHL.
Express coach Barry Wolff lists Biega's composure and competitiveness as the strengths of his game, saying he has a knack of getting his shot through from the blue-line.
"He's so smart, he moves the puck in the right places at the right times," said Wolff, who has the confidence to lean on Biega for power play duty, killing penalties or shutting down the opponent's top line. And Biega has excelled in every situation his coach has placed him in.
"We might put him in net next," said Wolff with a chuckle. "He's been unreal for us and he just keeps getting better and better."
