After more than four years with the York Lions men's hockey team, Justin Bean decided it was time to end his university playing career and turn professional.
"Being the captain of the team was a huge honour, and it was hard for me to leave," Bean said. "We had a great group of guys and I was really hoping that the [OUA] season would continue and I end my [university] playing career on a high note with York."
Amid the uncertainity of the Ontario University Athletics(OUA) 2021-22 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the offensive defenseman opted to sign with the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones, an affiliate of the AHL's Rochester Americans and the NHL's Buffalo Sabres.
York Lions defenseman Justin Bean played in six regular season games before signing with the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. Photo provided by the York Lions.
Bean, who played in six games this season, said it was a tough decision to leave his tight knit group of teammates and a program with a rich history like the Lions.
However, as more games were delayed and the Ontario government decided to pause the OUA on Jan. 4, he felt ready to take the next step in his hockey career.
"Things were just not looking optimistic in Ontario, unfortunately," Bean said. "Ultimately, I've always wanted to play professional hockey and when I was given the opportunity, I figured now would be a good time to take it."
With more postponements and cancelled games increasing across USPORTS following the cancellation of the entire OUA 2020-21 season, Bean is one of more than 30 Canadian university athletes who signed pro contracts since December 2021.
Despite the increase in pro contracts, as well as several USPORTS athletes competing in past international tournaments like the Olympics, Bean is unsure why the OUA was not deemed an elite amateur sports leagues in an updated list by the Ontario government.
"I certainly believe the OUA is elite," he said. "I mean, there have been tons of athletes turn professional right out from OUA and from USPORTS. I certainly support all the athletes trying to petition to have that changed and to get back to their season."
The leagues included in the elite list like the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA), were permitted to continue their seasons. While these junior leagues are feeder systems for USPORTS, they are allowed to play their games and teams are permitted to train.
Prior to joining the Lions, Bean played parts of three seasons with the OHL's Belleville Bulls and Mississauga Steelheads, and said he hopes the support and petitions from OUA schools, athletes and staff online can influence the right decision makers to reverse the OUA pause.
"I'm hoping these petitions are successful and all the posts on social media, I hope they catch the eye of the right people and hope they overturn their decisions sooner than later."
As he settles in with his new team, Bean is hopeful that the OUA, and USPORTS overall, will receive more of the respect and recognition that the leagues deserve moving forward.
Bean was selected in the ninth round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection draft. Along with the Bulls and Steelheads, he played with the Ontario Junior Hockey League's (OJHL) Wellington Dukes prior to joining the Lions in 2017.
In 77 games with York, Bean recorded 37 points (10 goals, 27 assists) during his university career.
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