Photo Credit: Katelynn Reiss
Sean Couturier was born on December 7, 1992 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Philadelphia Flyers drafted Couturier 8th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft. Couturier then signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Flyers on September 21, 2011. For his efforts, Couturier has re-signed with the Flyers to an eight year deal worth an AAV of $7.75 million, what a steal of a deal for the former Selke Trophy winner.
“To be part of the Flyers organization for another eight years following next year is extremely exciting. I like the way the team is built and the mix of players that we have. I’m really looking forward to it but especially this year.”- Sean Couturier said via the Flyers press release
Fletcher says there is a Full No Movement clause for the first 7 years of his contract, and a limited no move clause for the 8th year. He then called Couturier a premier and elite player in the NHL.
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It was to no one’s surprise Couturier made the Flyers out of training camp in 2011. He had the goods and the will to turn this organization into a building block of success for the future. Couturier was a dominant force in the QMJHL amassing a total of 283 points in 184 games played. Even with his accolades at the Junior level, his main goal of course was to make the NHL.
Former head coach of the Tampa Lightning, Guy Boucher had this to say about Couturier before he was drafted:
“You don’t take the puck off of him. He’s a big center who wins the faceoffs and is extremely reliable defensively. When he was 16, I had to push him to go offence because he wanted to be so reliable defensively. He has great vision and is slowly building up his speed … he’s going to be a terrific NHL player.”– Guy Boucher on Couturier
Guy Boucher has been a mentor to the young Couturier. He was Couturier’s coach at the Junior level in the QMJHL, for the Drummondville Voltigeurs. Couturier speaks very fondly of Boucher, and credits him for his development.
“When I went to the juniors, I gotta give credit to Guy Boucher. He was my first coach in juniors, and he kind of taught me how to play the game on both sides of the ice. I became a solid defensive player. I put up all those stats, but one year I was +68 (laughing and smiling). That’s the type of player I want to be solid offensively, but reliable defensively. I want to outscore my opponents.”
At age 28, Couturier plays in all types of situations. He is a reliable penalty killer, and he plays the power play. If Head Coach Alain Vigneault needs anything, Coots is always there to bail this team out, and even on one leg. For his career, he has registered 174 goals, and 269 assists for 443 points in 692 games played. His dad helped him get to this point in his hockey career, and he has not forgotten that.
“Growing up my dad helped me. He played the game, so he gave me tips here and there. He was around my junior team in the QMJHL.”– Sean Couturier
Couturier exemplifies the greatness of professional athletes, and has become a model of success for the Flyers organization. This deal is quite the steal for both sides. Thanks Sean for taking a hometown discount.
So we will be paying him 7 million plus when he is 33, 34,35 and 36? How is that fiscally sound? How is that a hometown discount? No more eight year deals. You’d think they would have learned by now. This is why we can never build for a cup run. I hope they didn’t give him a no move clause.
If we didn’t sign him for 8 years I can assure you that another team would have in a heartbeat, and probably even closer to 9m as a UFA
He gave philly a hometown discount per year while the flyers let him know that he will play most of if not all of his career here in Philly.
I am thrilled with this signing. Those last few years may be rough but we have a nice open window for a few years right now. It’s the price that you pay for building a contender