Locally-raised defencemen knocking on NHL’S door after award-winning seasons

Both were born and raised in Calgary.

Both were saluted as the best blueliners in their respective leagues this past season.

And although Jake Bean and Kodie Curran have charted much different paths, both are now on the brink of becoming full-time Nhlers.

The 21-year-old Bean, a former Calgary Hitmen standout and a first-round selection of the Carolina Hurricanes, just had his name engraved on the Eddie Shore Award as the American Hockey League’s most outstanding defenceman.

Curran skated for five winters with the University of Calgary Dinos. After stints in Denmark and Norway, he was recognized as the Swedish Hockey League’s top rearguard and overall MVP for 2019-20.

Now 30 and with a wife and baby at home, the late-blooming Curran signed this week, a twoyear, one-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

“I think I always believed that it was going to happen,” Curran said. “But I have to say, for people who read this, I was moving on with my life. My end goal, obviously, was to play in the NHL, but it was more to provide financially for my family and have success in hockey over in Europe. The NHL was definitely on the back-burner and if it happened, great, but you have to move forward with your own goals and you have to be realistic with what works with your lifestyle.”

Conversations with the Ducks had stretched on. Curran’s agent assured it was nearly a done deal. He waited for confirmation. “My father-in-law ran downstairs in the morning (Monday), we were having a coffee, and he showed me my Capfriendly,” Curran chuckled. “That’s how I found out it was official.”

Despite the age difference, Bean and Curran are actually close pals. They met years ago through Hitmen trainer Sean Hope-ross and have been buddies ever since.

Bean has already had a cup of coffee at the highest level. The highly-touted prospect logged two appearances with the Hurricanes in November of 2018.

Carolina is stacked with defensive depth, but Bean — twice a member of Canada’s world junior squad and a Calder Cup champion last spring — is certainly making a case they’ll need to find a spot for him soon. In his third season in the minors, the Edge School graduate grabbed 10 goals and 48 points in 59 games.

“Compared to last year and the year before, I just feel like

I’m just a little more dominant,” Bean said during an interview with Sportsnet 960 The Fan. “I feel like I’m very confident on the ice. I’m confident in my ability to make plays. I feel like, at points in the game, I can take the game over and I can just do more.”

Curran credits his commitment to conditioning and countless hours of skills work for his progress. “But as a hockey player, it’s kind of in your blood. You’re always trying to believe the best in yourself and you always have hope in yourself.

“My wife always said to me,

‘For whatever reason, I see you in an NHL jersey.’”

Curran should be wearing that NHL jersey next season. Bean, too. (It could be sooner since he will undoubtedly be on the Hurricanes’ call-up list for a summer restart.)

“To be honest with you, I felt I was ready to make the jump at the end of last year or even before the end of last year,” said Bean. “I think with Carolina’s D core they have, it made it tough for me to do that or have any opportunity to do that. But I was fortunate to have another good season where I developed even more in the American League, so I think I’m definitely ready to make the step.”