Long before? John Bean's replacement filled the position on June 3. Jake Bean signed his contract on July 1. John Bean remains with the Flames in an advisory capacity. I'd be totally surprised if Conroy and John Bean didn't discuss Jake's signing after John stepped down from his President and CEO position. Now that's speculation on my part but usually if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck... it's a duck.
Now don't get me wrong...I'm not saying John Bean forced Conroy to sign his son.. but people do favors for other people all the time and the Flames needed dmen.