With a collegiate championship under his belt, it’s time for Broz to make the leap to the pro game.
Tristan Broz played hero for the Denver Pioneers on the way to an NCAA Championship in the spring before turning pro with his eyes set on taking the next step.
Graduates and departed players from last year’s list
The best of the rest
#25: Raivis Ansons
#24: Kirill Tankov
#23: Isaac Belliveau
#22: Taylor Gauthier
#21: Chase Pietila
#20: Emil Jarventie
#19: Kalle Kangas
#18: Joona Vaisanen
#17: Filip Kral
#16: Mac Swanson
#15: Jonathan Gruden
#14: Cruz Lucius
#13: Emil Pieniniemi
#12: John Ludvig
#11: Mikhail Ilyin
#10: Harrison Brunicke
After struggling in his first collegiate season with the Minnesota Gophers, former second round pick Tristan Broz transferred to the University of Denver starting in his sophomore season and saw his development flourish with the Pioneers as his numbers improved in each of his two seasons in the Mile High City.
During his 2023-24 junior campaign with the Pioneers, Broz set new career highs across the board in every major offensive category. His 40 points were good for fourth on the Pioneers team while his 16 goals ended up tied for the third best mark.
Perhaps the biggest moment of his season came in the national semifinal game where Broz and the Pioneers were taking on future top overall pick Macklin Celebrini and Boston University. With the game tied 1-1 in overtime, Broz wired a puck from the right circle past the Terriers goaltender to send his side to the National Championship.
DENVER TO THE SHIP!!!!!!!!!
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) April 12, 2024
ESPN2#MFrozenFour x @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/h8IbLJP8HY
This was actually Broz’s second overtime game winner of the NCAA tournament after he played hero for Denver in the first round with a 2OT winner to help the Pioneers advance over Massachusetts.
THE DOUBLE OT GAME WINNER #NCAAHockey x ESPN2 / @DU_Hockey
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 28, 2024
pic.twitter.com/Fe5BIORbDG
Two days after his winner against BU, Broz and the Pioneers defeated Boston College to win the National Championship and Broz was named to the all-tournament team for his efforts.
Before playing at the collegiate level, Broz played in the USHL as a member of the Fargo Force, the same junior side that fellow Penguins prospect Mac Swanson came up with before jumping to the NCAA level himself.
After capturing glory with the Pioneers, Broz made the decision to forgo him remaining NCAA eligibility and sign an entry level deal with the Penguins. By the time his college season came to a close, the AHL season was also wrapping up, but Broz still made his professional debut with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the AHL playoffs, playing in both of the team’s playoff games but without recording a point.
That small sample size will in no way determine how Broz’s future plays out in the Penguins system and 2024-25 will serve as his real first test as a professional hockey player.
There were some concerns about his development after a disappointing freshman season in college, but his transfer to Denver looks to have been the correct decision as his development took off in the final two years of his college career.
All signs point to Broz spending the entirety of 2024-25 in the AHL with the Baby Penguins as he adjusts to the pro game. He’ll get a chance to develop with a host of other Penguins prospects who are all looking to play a role in the next era of Penguins hockey.
