Currie ready to start next stage of hockey career
Former P. E. I. Rocket captain signs one- year contract with Portland Pirates
Josh Currie is turning pro.
The 20- year- old Charlottetown resident signed a one- year American Hockey League contract Thursday night with the Portland Pirates. He leaves today for Maine and will be on the ice Saturday for practice.
“I am excited. It’s been a long summer and now that I know where I am going, I kind of can’t wait to get started,” said Currie.
“I can’t wait for the season to begin.”
Currie attended the Phoenix Coyotes’ development camp in July and Portland is the Coyotes’ farm club.
“I have my foot in the door . . . now I just have to work my way up and continue to develop and improve,” Currie said.
He played four seasons with the P. E. I. Rocket and was named captain in midJanuary 2012.
Known for his strong two- way game, Currie scored 30 goals as a 19- yearold Rocket and really opened a lot of eyes in his final season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
H e scored 49 goals and set up 55 more in 68 games. His 104 points put him third in the league scoring race, b e h i n d teammate and Halifax winger Currie Ben Duffy Mooseheads Jonathan Drouin.
GOLF
was a finalist for the league’s MVP Award.
Currie credited coach Gordie Dwyer with showing confidence in him during his final two seasons in the Q.
“He gave me a ton of opportunities on the power play to play with a guy like Ben Duffy, that was just huge,” he said.
“I can’t thank him enough for the opportunities he has given me the last two years. . . That’s a huge reason why my offensive production has sort of skyrocketed.”