Sean Kuraly
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Birthday:
1993-01-20 |
Position:
C |
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Eligible for draft:
2011 |
Shoots:
Left |
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Drafted:
2011 |
Height:
6-2 |
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Acquired:
5th round (133rd overall), 2011 |
Weight:
193 lbs. |
Prospect Talent Score
Probability of Success
- D
History
2008-09: Kuraly was chosen in the 15th round, 283rd overall, of the 2009 OHL Priority Selection by the Plymouth Whalers.
2009-10: Kuraly played for the Ohio Blue Jackets Major Midget squad, scoring 29 goals and adding 44 assists for 73 points in 45 games. Kuraly also saw his first action in the USHL with the Indiana Ice, playing in 5 games for that team. He scored 1 goal and added 2 assists for 3 points in those appearances.
2010-11: In his first season in the USHL, Kuraly played in 51 games for the Indiana Ice. He scored 8 goals and added 21 assists for 29 points. In 5 playoff games, he scored 1 goal and added 1 assist for 2 points. Kuraly played for the USA's silver medal squad at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament.
2011-12: Kuraly explored for a 41 point improvement over last year in USHL for the Indiana Ice. The 2011, 5th round draft pick scored 32 goals along 38 assists in 54 games and showed he has a bigger offensive upside than first expected. The two-way centerman set a team record of six shorthanded goals this season and was fourth in scoring for the USHL. Kuraly and his Indiana team had an inconsistent 2012 Clark Cup Playoffs when they won the first round series, 2-1 over the defending Champions, Dubuque Fighting Saints only to be swept 3-0 by the Green bay Gamblers in the semi-finals. The two-way centerman played well in both rounds of the playoffs, scoring three goals along with three assists and an impressive plus eight rating in six USHL playoff games.
Talent Analysis
Kuraly is a two-way centerman who can play both ends of the rink and has good vision to be a playmaker. The big centerman excels at the penalty kill and has a good hockey IQ to read and react quickly to the play. He needs to continue improving his two-way game while using his offensive flair more often and play with more physicality down low in both zones.
Future
Kuraly is still a long shot to get to the NHL but he will be fun to watch over his four year development in NCAA with the Miami (Ohio) University Redhawks (CCHA).
