Tyler Biggs has told his U.S. college team he does not plan to return to it next season, preferring to pursue a professional career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Leafs drafted Biggs, an American power forward, in the first round, 22nd overall, in the 2011 draft. Biggs played one year at Miami University in Ohio, scoring nine goals and adding eight assists in 37 games, seventh on team scoring.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound centre, who just turned 19, could sign with the Leafs, Marlies or could join the Oshawa Generals, the OHL team that owns his junior rights.

A spokesman for the university said the door is open for Biggs to return to the RedHawks as long as he doesn’t sign a pro contract.

Born in Binghamton, N.Y., Biggs nonetheless played his formative hockey years in the GTHL with the Toronto Junior Canadiens before moving on to the U.S. National Development Program.

His father, Don, played 16 years of professional hockey in the AHL and IHL, including six years with the Cincinnati Cyclones, and also played briefly in the NHL for the Philadelphia Flyers and Minnesota North Stars.