Jake Bean Heads To Tri-Cities

The Tri-Cities Americans have won the Jake Bean sweepstakes.

The 19 year old is headed to the Americans in a massive deal agreed upon Saturday.

Heading back the Hitmen’s way is five assets that will help them in the short and long term. The deal involves forward Carson Focht (2000) and defenceman Dakota Krebs (1999). Also headed to the Hitmen are the Americans’ second-round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, a first-round selection in the 2019 draft and second-round selection in the 2020 draft.

Bean, taken 13th by Carolina in the 2016 NHL Draft, is coming off a gold-medal winning performance at the World Juniors in Buffalo.  He was seen as the biggest trade chip in the WHL leading up to the January 10th trade deadline. 
 
“With the team we have this year, I felt it was necessary to acquire another top defenseman,” Americans general manager Bob Tory said. “Jake Bean is an elite offensive defenseman and was the best player available. To acquire such a player, you must pay a steep price.

“Calgary is getting two character players in Dakota and Carson. We wish them nothing but the best in Calgary.”

Carson Focht, a 6-foot-0, 180-pound product of Regina, Sask. is one of five pieces in the deal the Hitmen can build around. Drafted by the Americans with the seventh overall selection in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, Focht is a forward with offensive upside and room to grow in the large role given to him in the Stampede City.

In 37 games this season, Focht has 16 points (6G-10A), with 24 points (9G-15A) in 101 career WHL games.

 Also headed to the Hitmen is the defenceman Krebs, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound product of Okotoks, Alta. Krebs joined the Americans ahead of the 2015-16 season. In 151 games with the WHL club, Krebs has tallied 12 points (2G-10A) and 89 penalty minutes.

Bean will join a blue line that already features draft NHL talent including Juuso Valimaki (Calgary Flames) and Dylan Coghlan (Vegas Golden Knights).