Curran signs with NHL's Anaheim Ducks

By Lance Doucet; Dinos Communications

6/1/2020 5:34:00 PM

Kodie Curran is one step closer to living out a childhood dream of playing in the National Hockey League.

The former University of Calgary Dinos defenceman signed a two-year one-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks on Monday, putting him in a prime position to compete for a roster spot with the club when the NHL begins its next season.

“I am very excited for Kodie. He has worked extremely hard these past few years to realize his dream of playing in the NHL. The Anaheim Ducks are getting a terrific defenceman and we are very excited to watch him this coming season.”

Mark Howell, Dinos Head Coach, who brought Curran to UCalgary as part of his first recruiting class in 2010.

Curran joined the Dinos ahead of the 2010-11 season after playing four seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. The smooth-skating blue liner made an immediate impact on the Olympic-sized ice at Father David Bauer Arena and helped the Dinos reach the U SPORTS national championship, the University Cup, for the first time in over a decade.

In his five years at UCalgary, Curran averaged close to a point-per-game with 89 points in 96 regular season games in Canada West. He was named a conference first team all-star in each of his final two season with the Dinos and earned a place on Team Canada at the 2015 Winter Universiade in Granada, Spain.

Once he completed his eligibility with the Dinos in 2015, Curran signed an American Hockey League contract to play in the New York Rangers’ system. After one full season playing professionally in North America, he took his talents to Europe where he won back-to-back league titles in Denmark and Norway.

Kodie was always an extremely talented defencemen, it was just a matter of him kind of putting his all-around game together that would determine how far he could go. It was obvious as he advanced to higher caliber leagues and played with top end players, his game kept excelling and that only happens to guys who can think the game at an elite level.

Brock Nixon, teammate of Curran with Dinos for three years and in Denmark during the 2016-17 season.

In 2018, Curran made the jump to one of the top professional leagues in the world in Sweden. His game reached another level during two seasons with Rögle BK of the Swedish Hockey League, helping him catch the eye of Hockey Canada brass and land a spot on the national men's team at the 2018 Spengler Cup.

This winter, Curran was named the SHL’s Most Valuable Player and the winner of the Guldhjälmen (The Gold Helmet) – an award previously won by names like Håkan Loob, Peter Forsberg, Henrik Lundqvist, Mats Zuccarello, and Derek Ryan.

I couldn’t be happier for Kodie and just to see another guy taking an unconventional route to reach the ultimate goal, which is that NHL contract, is great for hockey, especially Canadian University players.

Brock Nixon

Six former Dinos have gone on to play at least one game in the NHL. Bracken Kearns was the latest to do so, reaching the big leagues at the age of 30 – the same age Curran is now.

DINOS WHO HAVE PLAYED IN THE NHL:

Darryl Maggs, Defence, 1969-70

Played three seasons in NHL with Chicago (1971-73), California (1972-73) and Toronto (1979-80)

Terry Johnson, Defence, 1978-79

Played eight seasons in NHL with Quebec (1979-83), St. Louis (1983-86), Calgary (1985-86) and Toronto (1986-87)

Ronald Fischer, Defence, 1979-81

Played two seasons in NHL with Buffalo (1981-83)

Jim Nill, Right Wing, 1978-79

Played nine seasons in NHL with St. Louis (1981-82), Vancouver (1981-84), Boston (1983-84), Winnipeg (1984-88) and Detroit (1987-90). Assistant GM with Detroit (1999-13) and GM of Dallas (2013-20)

Scott Robinson, Right Wing, 1985-88

Played one season in NHL with Minnesota (1989-90)

Bracken Kearns, Centre, 2001-05

Played five seasons in NHL with Florida (2011-12), San Jose (2012-14), NY Islanders (2016-17).

This will provide extra motivation for all of our players, knowing that one of their own made it to the highest level, after never losing sight of his dream. There are so many talented players in U SPORTS that just need some more seasoning after junior.

Mark Howell

Kodie Curran is one step closer to living out a childhood dream of playing in the National Hockey League.

Six former Dinos have gone on to play at least one game in the NHL. Bracken Kearns was the latest to do so, reaching the big leagues at the age of 30 – the same age Curran is now.

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