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It’s rare to see 16-year-olds play big minutes in all situations in junior hockey, but that was Jake Bean last year. He played on the powerplay, on the penalty kill, and took a top four role at even strength as a WHL rookie. Bean continued that form this season, playing big minutes and putting up 24 goals and 64 points in 68 games for the Hitmen this season. He added two assists in five games for the Hitmen in the playoff, but it wasn’t enough as Calgary fell to the Red Deer Rebels in the first round of the WHL playoffs. Bean’s season isn’t over though. He began the 2015-16 campaign by winning gold with Team Canada’s under-18 squad at the Ivan Hlinka tournament, and now gets the opportunity to bookend the campaign with another appearance at the under-18 level, competing for Canada in the IIHF U18 World Championships in North Dakota later this month.
Jake Bean Scouting Report: 2016 NHL Draft #12
Defense — shoots Left
Born Jun 9 1998 — Calgary, ALTA
Height 6.01 — Weight 170 [185 cm/77 kg]
Jake Bean shows outstanding skating. He is blessed with very good speed and excellent acceleration. This is true in both directions and really helps him to be a two-way defender. Add to that, outstanding edgework and agility and Bean has the ability to walk the line to open up passing and shooting lanes, as well as to pivot quickly to transition from defence to offence and vice-versa. He is capable of covering a lot of ice, and of pinching in at the line and knowing he can still get back defensively. Bean could stand to add a bit more lower body strength and improve his balance in order to improve his ability to battle in the corners and in front of the net. This will become more important as he hits the next level and faces bigger and stronger opponents
Jake Bean has great puck control and combines with his skating skill to elude forecheckers and move the puck into good areas to start the rush. In that way he can lead the rush himself, or can make a strong pass to get the transition game going. He shows poise with the puck in the offensive zone, and as mentionned he walks the line well in the offensive zone opening up those passing and shooting lanes. His slap shot is hard and accurate, while his wrist shot features a quick release and he uses it effectively to get pucks on net quickly and through heavy traffic. He has very good vision and passing skills, able to thread the needle to set up his teammates for good scoring opportunities. Bean might be the most dynamic offensive blueliner in this draft class.
Bean can play a more physical game if he can add some muscle this year. He’s got good height, but needs to add strength to his frame. Bean is not a huge hitter, but he’s not afraid to get involved physically battling for pucks in the corners or in front of the net. His defensive game matches his offensive game. Bean has very good positioning, he shuts down the middle of the ice and keeps attackers to the outside. He uses an active stick to cut down passing and shooting lanes.
Jake Bean has all the skills teams are looking for in a young defenceman. Size is a bit of a concern, but its not something that is a huge concern. He must add some muscle before he is considered to be NHL ready though. Bean’s style is similar to Keith Yandle of the New York Rangers, but this is a style comparison only, and not one based on talent.
The following is a collection of Jake Bean highlights found on youtube.
Check back tomorrow for the number 13 prospect on our draft board.
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