Donald R. "Don" Biggs, a name synonymous with minor league hockey excellence, carved out an impressive career despite limited NHL opportunities. This article explores Biggs' journey, from his draft selection to his memorable seasons in the AHL and his post-playing career contributions to hockey.
Early Career and NHL Draft
Don Biggs was drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, selected from the OHL's Oshawa Generals. He was drafted 156th overall. Biggs honed his pro game with their American Hockey League (AHL) team. Biggs was unable to break into the NHL line-up and only played one game with the team.
Trade to Edmonton and AHL Dominance
In 1985 Biggs' rights were traded to the Edmonton Oilers. Biggs at 20 years old, remained with their AHL affiliate in Nova Scotia. Biggs was unable to make the team, never playing a game.
Biggs’ breakthrough season came in 1987-88, after signing as a free agent with the Philadelphia Flyers. In 1987 Biggs signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, and eventually played a total of 12 NHL games notching 2 assists.
While Biggs never managed to become a regular member of an NHL club, he was a valuable member of many minor league hockey teams in the OHL, AHL, IHL, ECHL, and a European professional hockey club.
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AHL Hall of Fame Career
As part of the American Hockey League’s 70th anniversary, Don Biggs may have been small in stature, but he certainly played big, becoming one of the dominant scorers of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Biggs broke into the pro ranks with the Springfield Indians at the end of the 1984-85 season, and in his first full campaign as a professional, he tallied 60 points in 75 games with Springfield and Nova Scotia.
Biggs led the Bears with 38 goals in the regular season and tied for the team lead with 16 points in the postseason. That Hershey team, considered by many to be among the best in AHL history, won 50 games before going a perfect 12-0 in the playoffs en route to the Calder Cup championship. That year would prove to be just the beginning for Biggs, the first of six consecutive 30-goal seasons in the AHL. He finished fifth in the league scoring race in 1988-89 (103 points in 76 games) and 1989-90 (92 pts. in 66 gp).
With the Rochester Americans in 1990-91, Biggs led the team with 88 points in the regular season and had a league-high 23 points in the playoffs as the Amerks reached the Calder Cup Final.
Biggs moved on to the Binghamton Rangers, and in 1992-93, he had the most prolific season the AHL had ever seen. In 78 games, Biggs scored 54 goals and added 84 assists for 138 points, the highest total in the history of the American Hockey League. He was the offensive catalyst for a Rangers team that went 57-13-10, the best regular-season record ever in the AHL, and was a runaway winner of the Les Cunningham Award as the league’s most valuable player.
Biggs would play six more years of professional hockey, but the 1992-93 season was his last appearance in the AHL. He ranks tied for 21st on the league’s all-time scoring list with 692 career points, on 273 goals and 419 assists, in just 597 games played. Biggs is also 12th all-time with 79 playoff points in 70 games over seven postseasons.
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During his seasons with the Binghamton Rangers in 1992-93 Biggs set the AHL single-season scoring mark with 54 goals and 84 assists for 138 points.
Cincinnati Cyclones and Jersey Retirement
Biggs experienced his greatest success as Captain of the Cincinnati Cyclones from 1993-1999 and for a stint in 2002.
Biggs' number 22 jersey was retired in his honor and hung from the rafters of the local arena.
Post-Playing Career
Don Biggs lives in Loveland, Ohio not far from Cincinnati. He works for a local electrical supply company and is involved in local hockey programs, where he runs elite, private and team skill clinics as well as youth hockey clinics.
He was the head coach and general manager of the Queen City Steam in the Tier III junior hockey league, NA3HL from 2007 to 2013 when the team was sold and rebranded.
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He coached and mentored his son from squirt level in the local CAHA league to becoming the Captain of Team USA. His son Tyler Biggs was taken 22nd overall in the 2011 NHL draft.
AHL Statistics
| Season | Team | Games | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-85 | Springfield Indians & Nova Scotia | 75 | - | - | 60 |
| 1987-88 | Hershey Bears | - | 38 | - | - |
| 1988-89 | - | 76 | - | - | 103 |
| 1989-90 | - | 66 | - | - | 92 |
| 1990-91 | Rochester Americans | - | - | - | 88 |
| 1992-93 | Binghamton Rangers | 78 | 54 | 84 | 138 |
| Career Total | - | 597 | 273 | 419 | 692 |