CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — Josh Currie is anxiously awaiting a fresh start and the next chapter of his professional hockey career.
The 27-year-old son of Stephen and Joanne Currie of Charlottetown's Sherwood community recently signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s a two-way deal with an annual average value of $700,000 at the NHL level.
“It’s a first-class organization and they have been such a prominent team in the NHL for the last 15 years,” said Currie. “I couldn’t be happier to join an organization like the Penguins.”
This was Currie’s first experience with free agency and it didn’t take long for a deal to come together once teams were permitted to sign players on Oct. 9. Within an hour and a half of free agency opening, the Penguins were the first team to make an offer, said Currie.
“They were super excited about the possibility of me joining the organization,” he said. “They were really positive and see me as a guy who can play in the NHL. They definitely see me playing next year with the Pittsburgh Penguins and, whether that’s one game or 60 games, they said that’s totally up to me.”
If Currie is not playing with Pittsburgh, he will be with the team’s top affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL).
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton assistant general manager Erik Heasley said the organization likes a lot about Currie, including his character and leadership qualities.
Currie’s perseverance working his way up through pro hockey’s ladder during the last seven seasons is also not lost on the Penguins.
“That starts with his career trajectory having taken the long route and playing 154 games in the ECHL,” said Heasley. “As far as his game goes, he is responsible in all three zones, possesses a dangerous shot off the rush and shows a willingness to go to the net.
“The Penguins’ organization is always looking for high-compete players, and Josh fits that description and is a proven goal-scorer at the American Hockey League level, having scored 20 or more goals in four straight AHL seasons.”
Numbers
Josh Currie’s professional hockey resumé:
Season Team GP G A Pts
ECHL
2013-14 Gwinnett Gladiators 70 15 16 31
2014-15 Bakersfield Condors 71 14 28 42
2015-16 Norfolk Admirals 13 6 6 12
AHL
2015-16 Bakersfield Condors 53 10 14 24
2016-17 Bakersfield Condors 67 22 14 36
2017-18 Bakersfield Condors 68 20 26 46
2018-19 Bakersfield Condors 53 27 14 41
2019-20 Bakersfield Condors 56 24 17 41
NHL
2018-19 Edmonton Oilers 21 2 3 5
Bakersfield
Currie spent most of the past five seasons with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, the top affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers.
Currie says he has nothing but respect and fond memories from his time in Edmonton's organization, which included playing 21 NHL games with the Oilers during the 2018-19 campaign.
“I have nothing but good things to say about the Oilers and the whole organization from ownership right down to the trainers in both the NHL and the American Hockey League,” said Currie. “They were the first team to give me the opportunity to realize my dream and play in the NHL.”
Currie said although he enjoyed his years in the Oilers’ system, he is looking forward to a change of scenery.
Currie said some of the qualities he brings to the Pens are hard work, character and versatility as he can play both centre and right wing. These are traits, he says, have helped him get to where he is today.
“I just want to come in and be the person I am and try to add to the organization any way I can."
Closer to home
One personal advantage of signing with the Penguins for Currie is he’ll be playing much closer to home in Pennsylvania, whether it’s with Pittsburgh or Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He spent the last six years in Bakersfield, including his first year there in the ECHL.
"It almost feels sometimes, when you are in California, you are on a different continent with the four-hour time difference,” said Currie. “It makes it tough for family and friends to come out and visit and even watch the games because they start at 11 o’clock, P.E.I., time, which can be a little late.
“Closer to home will be a nice, welcomed change. I might get some more visitors this year and the games won’t start as late.”
