Aidan Curran has lofty goals for himself as a hockey player. He accomplished one of those goals earlier this summer, is well on his way toward fulfilling another, and the third is certainly not out of the realm of possibility.
The Dracut, Mass., native fell short of making USA Hockey’s Player Development Camp in 2016 and 2017, but he finally made it this year as a 17-year-old. He made steps each season, getting closer in 2017, but finally got over the hump for this year’s event in Amherst, N.Y., just outside of Buffalo.
“The experience in Buffalo was unbelievable. I’ve gotten better every year. I’ve learned how great the hockey world is. Once you get to national camp, you see how good hockey really is,” said Curran, who played this past season with the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs 16-U in the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League.
In addition to making national camp, Curran also aspires to play college and pro hockey. He’s well on his way to lacing up the skates at the NCAA level as he’s committed to playing college hockey for Mike Souza (Wakefield, Mass.) at the University of New Hampshire. If his progress on the ice continues, pro hockey could follow.
“I was able to watch him play at Austin Prep so I’ve seen him for a couple of years. His development has happened relatively fast,” said Clint Edinger, the 16-U Monarchs coach as well as a skills instructor at Edinger’s Edge.
Hard work does pay off, as is evidenced by Curran’s rapid climb from high school player to now looking forward to junior hockey this upcoming season with the Monarchs in the USPHL NCDC.
“Work ethic has always been really important to me. Clint has really helped me learn the importance of working hard off the ice. I’ve become bigger, stronger and faster over the past few years,” said Curran.
“He started with me in the summer. We were on the ice three days a week and off the ice four days a week,” said Edinger. “He’s put in the time during the offseason. He’s a bright kid. He doesn’t want to stop working out and training.”
Curran, who had 20 goals and 60 assists in 49 Midget games this past year, is an excellent skater. He’s able to use his speed to wheel around the offensive zone, create time and space, and then hit open teammates for scoring chances.
“Watching him skate and play, his ability down low to protect pucks is what makes him so good. If you put him with a guy who can bury pucks, he’ll get that guy the puck,” Edinger explained.
“His edge work and his skating are so good. He wants to create space and make plays. Not many kids can move around the zone like that. He’s strong on pucks and he wants it on his stick,” Edinger continued.
Curran, who stands at 5-foot-11, projects as a right-shot center or maybe even a wing who can use his speed to get up and down the ice and play a 200-foot game.
“I’m a complete center who can accelerate and play in all three zones,” said Curran, when asked to describe his style of play. “Playing Tier 1 the last two years has really helped me get better.”
Curran and Edinger have worked together to improve his strengths and make him an even more impactful playmaker.
“We just tried to take his strengths and make them better. He does a good job making plays below the hashmarks,” said Edinger.
One area of weakness is that Curran sometimes doesn’t play assertively enough. Curran has a tendency to play on the perimeter and looks to pass first before driving the net or shooting the puck.
“The biggest thing is he has to be more selfish. He has to shoot more pucks. He does have a good shot. It’s very accurate. It’s an old-school snap shot. He places it well, but he’s always looking to dish pucks,” Edinger said.
Playing more hockey and taking his game up a notch when he moves on to junior hockey this fall could force Curran to expand his horizons when it comes to his offensive skill-set.
“As the levels progress, it takes away some of those options, so it will make him do a little more on his own. He’ll have to learn to crash the net and work on his one-timer,” Edinger commented.
Despite being a few years away from matriculating to Durham, Curran is excited about the prospect of playing for the Souza’s Wildcats.
“The coaching staff really believes in their players and as an aspiring pro hockey player, I think they can give me the best chance to get there. UNH has always been a top hockey program.”
Until then, watch for the speedy Curran to wreak havoc on opposing defenses in junior hockey.
