Photo Credit: Zack Hill
Sean Couturier wanted to prove to his critics that both his 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons were no flukes. Well, Couturier is doing just that. He has been nothing short of phenomenal for the orange and black in 2019-20. For the season, Couturier has registered 13 goals, 30 assists, and is a whopping plus 15. Moreover, Couturier has tallied one goal, and six assists in his last five games played, but he really has carried this team on his back offensively and defensively for the greater part of the season. If people thought the past two and half seasons were good for “Coots,” think again they haven’t seen anything yet, and they could thank Guy Boucher for that.
It was to no one’s surprise that 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 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 Juniors, I gotta give credit to Guy Boucher,” Couturier said, “I think it’s more of the defensive side of the game with him. I was the top scorer in Minor hockey and Midget hockey. When I came into Junior, I was the second overall pick. I came in with a lot of offensive promise, and potential. My first year we won the Q, and I was the third or fourth line guy. I had to be responsible.“
Couturier continued, “I learned a lot. He made me realize sometimes it’s not always about the points, it’s about standing up players at the blue line, chipping the puck in deep, and all those little things add up to offense (Laughing and Smiling). I only had him one year, but the second year I exploded offensively. I think that year, even though, it was tough offensively, I learned a lot and it made me the player I am today.”
At age 27, Couturier plays in all types of situations. He is a reliable penalty killer, and Couturier quarterbacks the second Power Play Unit. For his career, he has registered 147 goals, and 239 assists for 386 points in 628 games played. Get this “Coots” is a whopping plus 86 for his career, as well. Moreover, he finished second in the voting for the Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward) in 2017-18, and finished sixth in the voting for the Selke Trophy in 2018-19. This year it feels different, he has been a complete player for the past few years, however, Couturier is now an elite Centerman in the NHL, thanks in large part to Boucher, “It’s funny to say, my first year in Junior I didn’t PK (Penalty Kill) a lot,” Couturier said smiling, “I wasn’t really that good of a skater. I wasn’t fast enough to do stopping starts. I would only get the chance to go out there once in a while.
“Coots” the Assistant Captain continued, “Honestly, I learned how to use my head, place my stick in the right place, and be in the lanes defensively. I think I grew up, and got more physically mature to become a better skater. I wanted to be more stop and start. I learned a lot from him. He’s a great gentleman.”
The gifted protegé in Couturier has developed into a successful centerman for the Flyers. Even with his success at the NHL level, he never forgets that Boucher has had a direct influence on the player he has been molded into today. Hopefully, this elite Centerman in Couturier raises that Selke Trophy at the end of the season, and I’m sure Couturier would credit Boucher in his victory speech at the podium of the NHL Awards ceremony.
I agree with everything you said. I knew he was going to be a great player for us right from the beginning. He can shut down the best players on the ice easily. He is smart and strong on the puck and faceoffs. Hope the Flyers keep him here forever! That is just a few of his qualities, there are many others!
Thank you so much for the support. It really means a lot