Sean Couturier (Coots) wanted to prove to his critics that the 2017-18 and 2018-19 season’s were no fluke. Well, Coots did just that. He was nothing short of phenomenal for the orange and black in 2019-20. For the season, Couturier registered 22 goals, and 37 assists for 59 points. He was also a plus 21 to boot. If people thought the past three years were good for Coots think again, we haven’t seen anything yet. Tonight is Coots’s night as he became the third Flyer in history to win the Frank Selke Trophy (Given to the best Defensive Forward), Bobby Clarke (1982-83) and Dave Poulin (1986-87) were the prior two Flyers to win this award.
“It’s a great honor without my teammates this wouldn’t be possible, coaching staff, management and the whole organization believing in me,” Couturier said following the award announcement, “I’d like to congratulate Patrice Bergeron and Ryan O’Reilly as well, two great players who I respect a lot and also had great years.”
The 27-year-old standout has proved to the entire league that he’s a force to be reckoned with. Coots was the heart and soul of this young Flyers team all season long. There was no doubt he was the MVP of the team. When Couturier’s name was called for the team MVP award last year, there were plenty of orange-clad fans roaring Coooooooooooots, to go along with the Let’s Go Flyers chants, unfortunately due to the Coronavirus Flyers fans are doing that from their living rooms as we speak, as Couturier has won the Bobby Clarke Trophy (Team’s Most Valuable Player) for the second straight season.
Couturier was rock solid from the drop of the puck for the 2019-20 season, and this young player in Couturier emerged as a leader in the locker room. He was one of the last players off the ice at every practice. The difference of this season, as compared to other seasons, is Couturier is finally evolving into the leader this young team has craved for the past few seasons.
The Flyers locker room has needed that voice for the past few seasons. Couturier is a player that younger players look up to, and he is a new voice of the Flyers. If Couturier has a bad game he owns it. Moreover, that is something that sits well with Head Coach Alain Vigneault. Couts holds himself to a high standard, and also holds himself accountable when need be.
Accountability was a strong word that was used this season for the Flyers. Couturier is no stranger to holding himself accountable, and that rubs off on his teammates, as well. Former Flyers Interim Head Coach Scott Gordon spoke very highly of Coots last season, “He’s a 200-foot player. He’s valuable because of the fact he can produce, and mostly at the same time play against the other teams top line and be effective, kill penalties, plays on the power-play wins faceoffs. I mean there’s not much more you can ask for.”
Sean Couturier prides himself on being outstanding defensively, but wants to showcase his offensive skills, as well. He has really taken his game to another level these past few years, and it has given Couturier a ton of confidence. This season was no different for the new leader in Couturier, and finally, another elite player has been born in Philadelphia.
