Sean Kuraly is a 6’2” 215 pound center for the Boston Bruins in the NHL. Hailing from Dublin Ohio, the 1993 birth year player started his AAA youth career with the Ohio Blue Jackets U16 and U18 teams. Sean was then invited to join the elite US Development Program before spending 3 years playing Juniors with the Indiana Ice of the USHL. In his last year with the Ice, he was selected to the USHL Second Team All-Stars and was offered a D1 Scholarship to Miami University – Ohio.
In his first season at Miami – Ohio, the team won the regular season CCHA championship and Sean Kuraly was selected to the U20 World Junior Team where he earned a Gold Medal and defeated the vaunted Swedish National Team. Kuraly spent four seasons at Miami where in his junior year he was selected Assistant Captain and in his senior year, he was selected Captain. In his final collegiate season, he was selected Best Defensive Forward (NCHC) and honorable mention All-Star Team.
Photo Credit: Jana Chytilova – Freestyle Photography
At the 2011 NHL draft, Sean Kuraly was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round being chosen 133 overall. Boston acquired his rights along with Trent Frederic from San Jose for NHL veteran goalie, Martin Jones in 2015.
In 2016, Kuraly began his professional career as a prospect in the Bruins’ system with the American Hockey League’s Providence Bruins. He played 54 games for the AHL squad where he put up 14 goals and 12 assists and was +10. He was called up to the Bruins for 8 regular season games for the Bruins where he received praise from Boston’s development coach Jay Pandolfo: “He plays hard. He fits the mold for a Bruin and that’s what we like about him.”
Kuraly’s star shone bright during the 16-17 playoffs where Boston was on the brink of elimination with the Ottawa Senators. He had played well in the first two playoff games of the series and Head Coach Bruce Cassidy inserted Kuraly in the lineup over 5 year veteran Ryan Spooner. The stars were all aligned for Sean Kuraly who was projected to be defensive third or fourth line center-man for the club. In the second period, with the Bruins trailing 2-1, Sean scored his first NHL goal in the grinding fashion that has pleased the coaching staff. With just under 3 minutes left in the second period, Sean banked a shot from the side of the net and tied the game. The match went into overtime where it appeared that the Bruins had won it with Kuraly again crashing the net and diving over Senator goalie Anderson, however the tally was called off for goaltender interference.
Photo Credit: Paul Vernon – AP Photo
The game went into a second overtime and with 10 minutes gone in the stanza, David Backes won a faceoff back to rookie defenseman Charlie McAvoy. McAvoy’s shot from the point was tipped by Backes and rebounded onto Kuraly’s stick where he was positioned to the left of goaltender Anderson and stuffed it into the back of the net. The Bruins’ celebration and Kuraly’s exuberance matched the excitement of a game winner.
For offseason training, Sean Kuraly travels to The Hockey Summit located in Estero, Florida. The Summit was founded by Justin Roethlingshoefer, the Assistant Strength and Conditioning coach for the Anaheim Ducks and Head Strength and Conditioning coach for the San Diego Gulls, and 14 year Pro Hockey veteran Ernie Hartlieb. There, Sean Kuraly works with the top young talent from the NHL and KHL for 7 weeks each summer. Among the players in camp are fellow Miami Redhawk Alumni Blake Coleman of the New Jersey Devils, and Kevin Morris of the Manchester Monarchs.
