Veteran defenceman Biega takes offensive to keep career alive
Motivation to manage ups and downs ‘comes from within with the faith and belief,’ he says
Life-lessons logic rolls off Alex Biega’s tongue like a master motivational speaker.
If you want to know how the Vancouver Canucks defenceman developed a relentless zest to remain relevant on the ice and become a leader off of it while seeking training techniques to set the conditioning bar, listen to the well-spoken, 30-year-old survivor.
It’s not surprising that Biega wants to eventually transition into a hockey management position. His experiences read like a step-by-step manual to manoeuvre through every stage of personal and professional development.
Biega had to take the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) eight times before he was finally accepted to Harvard University a dozen years ago. Only five per cent of applicants are accepted annually to the hallowed institution and Biega would not only study sociology and economics, he played four seasons for the Crimson and was captain in his final NCAA season.
So, when Biega speaks, you listen. Especially when he offers the following guidance:
“If you’re never going to quit, you’re never going to fail.”
“Complacency is death.” “Age is just a number.”
All three speak to how a Montreal native, who passed up the QMJHL to play high school hockey in Connecticut, became a 2006 fifth-round selection by Buffalo. It guaranteed nothing. But Canucks general manager Jim Benning, a former Sabres scout, believed the mobile and strong 5-foot-10 blue-liner could transition to the pro game. He had the ability and the attitude. He just needed the chance.
Biega didn’t sign with the Sabres and after a pair of oneyear deals with the Canucks, he finally earned a two-year commitment. He has another year left on his latest two-year pact that has a US$825,000 annual cap hit.
On Monday, the Canucks could have exposed Biega to waivers for reassignment to the Utica Comets in New York, but chose Reid Boucher. On Tuesday, Biega set up two failed scoring chances and the tying goal in an overtime loss to Los Angeles. And on Thursday against Las Vegas, Biega took two goals and 23 career points into his 146th NHL game in a top-pairing with Alex Edler.
However, eight games don’t make a season or provide security.
The Canucks have prospects Quinn Hughes and Olli Juolevi looking to eventually make the NHL jump while Edler and Michael Del Zotto are on expiring contracts. The Canucks are also carrying eight defencemen and Erik Gudbranson is close to returning from a neck strain, while the disappointing Derrick Pouliot awaits his next roster insertion.
So, amid all of this, how did Biega develop the moxie to manage the ebb and flow of a roller-coaster career?
“It comes from within with the faith and belief,” stressed Biega. “When I was growing up, a 5-foot-10 defenceman was always you’re too small and you need be at least 6-feet to be in the NHL. There was always that mentality of proving people wrong. And physically, I take pride in being fit and the strongest guy every year I come into camp.
“Look at guys like Tom Brady and his philosophy. It’s the way you take care of your body. It’s seeing the way the game is changing and being smart about it. It’s a skating league. If you’re mobile and can move the puck — that’s the new brand. And if you can add the physical part of it, it’s an element teams always look for.
“I’m always curious about supplements or recovery or off-ice training. I’m trying to find the new element of science that is maybe going to be groundbreaking. I grew up that way. If you have a goal you’re going to do everything to achieve it.
“Continuous improvement and not being content is my philosophy on life. I’ve learned to enjoy every day in the NHL and there’s really not a better job.”
The zest for excellence extends to a yearly goal of finding motivation and guidance through books he devours by reading or listening. Biega set the bar at 50 books, but has yet to hit the halfway mark. Road trips help.
“On a five-hour flight, I’ll crush an audiobook and read a couple of chapters at night before bed,” he said. “It’s a nice way to calm down.”
Canucks coach Travis Green learned at the AHL level how driven Biega was to get his game to another level. The Comets advanced to the Calder Cup final in 2015 and Biega was a key cog in that drive.
“You know what you’re getting in Alex,” said Green. “He has worked on his game a lot and is a great example for young guys. When we got him in Utica, people said he would struggle to play in that league. Give him credit. He’s strong and works on his shot all the time.
“When he keeps his game simple, he’s a reliable guy. You can sit him out for three or four weeks and he comes in and gives you a great game.”