Sean Kuraly

Last updated
Sean Kuraly
Sean Kuraly with Boston Bruins 2017.jpg
Kuraly with the Boston Bruins in 2017
Born (1993-01-20) January 20, 1993 (age 32)
Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb)
Position Center
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams
Columbus Blue Jackets
Boston Bruins
NHL draft 133rd overall, 2011
San Jose Sharks
Playing career 2016present

Sean Kuraly (born January 20, 1993) is an American professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round, 133rd overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Contents

Playing career

As a youth, Kuraly played in the 2005 and 2006 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with minor ice hockey teams from Ohio. [1] After early years with the Tier 1 Ohio AAA Blue Jackets, Kuraly played four games in the U.S. National Development Team Program before joining the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League (USHL). After his first full rookie season with the Ice, Kuraly was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round, 133rd overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. [2] During the 2011–12 season, Kuraly was fourth in the league with 70 points and 32 goals in 54 regular-season games. This earned him Second-Team All-USHL honors. [3]

After completing his USHL junior career with the Ice, Kuraly embarked on a collegiate career, in joining Miami University in Ohio. [4]

Collegiate

In his freshman year playing for the Miami RedHawks ice hockey team, Kuraly played in 40 games and earned 12 points. He missed two games due to the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He helped guide the RedHawks to the 2013 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, where he scored the game-winning goal to defeat Michigan State University in the quarterfinals. [5] The RedHawks later lost to the University of Michigan in the semifinals. The following season, Kuraly played in 38 games and ended with a new career-high 29 points.

Upon completing his junior season with the RedHawks in 2014–15 season, Kuraly's NHL rights were traded by the Sharks (along with a first-round pick) to the Boston Bruins in exchange for goaltender Martin Jones on July 1, 2015. [6]

In the 2015–16 season, Kuraly was unable to match the production of his previous two seasons, contributing with 6 goals and 23 points in his senior and final collegiate season. Despite this, he was named NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year [7] and a member of the NCHC Academic All-Conference Team due to his 3.13 GPA. [8] On June 30, 2016, Kuraly signed his first professional contract, agreeing to a two-year, entry-level deal with the Boston Bruins. [9]

Professional

After attending the Bruins' training camp, he was reassigned to make his professional debut in the 2016–17 season, with Boston's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins. On November 1, 2016, he received his first NHL recall on an emergency basis with the Bruins. [10] He made his NHL debut with the Bruins, skating on the fourth-line in a 4–3 shootout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on November 3, 2016. [11]

Kuraly scored his first two career goals, including the double overtime winner, in a 3–2 win in Game 5 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Ottawa Senators. This would be followed early in the 2017–18 season with his first-ever regular season Bruins goal, the winner in a 2–1 home ice defeat of the Vegas Golden Knights on November 2, 2017. [12]

Following the 2020–21 season, his fifth with the Boston Bruins, Kuraly left the organization as a free agent and was signed to a four-year, 10 million contract with hometown club, the Columbus Blue Jackets, on July 28, 2021. [13]

On December 23, 2023, during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kuraly took a hit from Jake McCabe and was then shot with a puck in the chest. Once he reached the bench, he dropped to one knee and collapsed, prompting a stoppage of play. He was evaluated by medical personnel at the arena, and then transported to the Grant Medical Center for treatment of an abdominal injury. [14] [15]

Personal life

Kuraly's parents are Canadians from Toronto. [16] His father Rick also played hockey at Miami University (OH); he is the RedHawks all-time leading goal-scorer and ranks third in career points, [4] and was also inducted into the Miami Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. [17]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2009–10Ohio Blue Jackets 18U AAA T1EHL 3719304924
2009–10 U.S. NTDP U17 USDP40112
2009–10 Indiana Ice USHL 51230
2010–11 Indiana IceUSHL51821294551124
2011–12 Indiana IceUSHL543238704863364
2012–13 Miami University CCHA 40661241
2013–14 Miami University NCHC 3812172959
2014–15 Miami UniversityNCHC4019102938
2015–16 Miami UniversityNCHC366172339
2016–17 Providence Bruins AHL 5414122637601123
2016–17 Boston Bruins NHL 8011242024
2017–18 Boston BruinsNHL75681440122242
2018–19 Boston BruinsNHL7181321382046108
2019–20 Boston BruinsNHL696172334101234
2020–21 Boston BruinsNHL4745920110006
2021–22 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL7714163061
2022–23 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL711192068
2023–24 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL62991840
NHL totals4805878136303579101924

International

YearTeamEventGPGAPtsPIM
2011 United States IH18 51014
2013 United States WJC 71232
Junior totals122246

Awards and honors

AwardYear
USHL
Second All-Star Team 2012 [3]
College
NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year 2016 [4]
NCHC Academic All-Conference Team 2014, 2016

References

  1. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved 2019-01-06.
  2. "Two More Future RedHawks Taken in NHL Draft". miamiredhawks.com. June 25, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Sharks Prospect Named to Second Team All-USHL". NHL.com. May 31, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 "SEAN KURALY". miamiredhawks.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  5. "Kuraly nets pair as Miami wins deciding Game 3 against Michigan State". uscho.com. 2013-03-18. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  6. "Bruins acquire First-round pick, Kuraly from Sharks for Jones". Boston Bruins. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  7. "Kuraly Named NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year". miamiredhawks.com. March 17, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  8. "Fourteen RedHawks Earn NCHC Academic All-Conference Recognition". miamiredhawks.com. February 17, 2016. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  9. "Bruins agree to terms with Kuraly on entry-level contract". Boston Bruins. 2016-06-30. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  10. "Bruins recall Sean Kuraly". Boston Bruins. 2016-11-01. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  11. "Bruins top Lightning in 10th round of shootout". CBS Sports . 2016-11-03. Retrieved 2016-11-03.
  12. Russo, Eric (November 2, 2017). "Bruins Grind It Out in Win Over Vegas". Boston Bruins . Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  13. "Columbus Blue Jackets sign center Sean Kuraly to four-year contract". Columbus Blue Jackets. July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  14. "Injury causes Sean Kuraly to collapse behind Columbus Blue Jackets' bench". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  15. TSN ca Staff (2023-12-23). "Columbus Blue Jackets Sean Kuraly taken to medical centre after abdominal injury". TSN. Retrieved 2023-12-24.
  16. "The story of the Dublin native who made his way through the NHL and has returned home to play for the Blue Jackets". 3 February 2023.
  17. Ervin, Phil (October 20, 2015). "FOLLOWING IN HIS FATHER'S FOOTSTEPS". nchchockey.com. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year
2015–16
Succeeded by