Draft Prospect Bean Brings Puck-Moving Skills

ColoradoAvalanche.com is profiling draft-eligible prospects leading up to the 2016 NHL Draft in Buffalo on June 24-25. Jake Bean is the No. 15-ranked North American skater in the NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings. The Avalanche has the 10th overall selection at the draft.

Jake Bean has risen in the rankings as a young, offensive-minded defenseman, proving his worth and capabilities as an undrafted bantam player for the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen the past two seasons.

At 17 years old, he is one of five blueliners to land in the top 15 of NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings and is the highest-rated prospect from the WHL.

Bean’s puck-moving skills and ability to play a smart game gives him the reputation of a complete player, one that teams won’t overlook at the 2016 NHL Draft in late June.

His versatile playing style even hints at his skill to skate on a top D-pairing, a setup that proved lethal during his time with the Hitmen when Bean performed alongside Philadelphia Flyers prospect and like-minded rear guard Travis Sanheim.

The Calgary, Alberta, native had the third most points on his hometown team during the 2015-16 season, totaling 64 in 68 games. He remained consistent in his ability to find the back of the net, finishing second in goals (24), third in assists (40) and second in game-winners (six).

In five playoffs contests, he added two helpers as Calgary fell to the Red Deer Rebels in five games in the opening round of the WHL playoffs.

Bean’s 24 goals set a new single-season record for scoring among Hitmen …

continue reading in source avalanche.nhl.com