Robert Morris University forward Brandon Denham has had a busy summer. After attending the Winnipeg Jets prospect camp last week, he is back in Pittsburgh participating in the Pittsburgh Penguins prospect development camp this week.
Denham, 23, will enter his senior season for the Colonials with 20 goals over the last two seasons. With the departure of all-time leading scorer Cody Wydo, Denham will be one of several RMU players that will be asked to play a bigger role offensively.
“I’ve learned a lot last week and so far this week, and I hope to bring that back, show that to the guys and help them learn from these situations, too. In the end, the focus after this week is how to make our team the best we can be this year and hopefully win another championship.”
Denham, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound forward, seems well suited for the professional game.
“I’d like to think so, that’s why I’m here,” Denham said. “It’s just to show [the Penguins] what kind of person I am and what kind of player I am. Obviously, someone from this organization has seen me play and liked how I played.”
Denham’s style is a modern power forward. He has surprisingly good hands for a big guy and has a knack for getting under the skin of opponents and drawing penalties. Both traits should help him as he furthers his career.
“[Wydo] got [to the pros] because he can put the puck in the net left, right and center; that’s what he does,” Denham said. “I don’t have that kind of skill, so I have to use my size to my advantage. I play a much more physical game, and that’s how I know I’m going to have to play to make it at the next level: being physical, finishing checks and taking pucks to the net.”
If Denham can have another solid season with the Colonials, a pro career will be right around the corner.
“It’s been a dream since I was three years old, so hopefully one day,” he said.
Photo credit: Brian Mitchell
