Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
Following a statement 5-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night back on October. It appeared, definitively, that Sean Couturier was back to his normal self. It didn’t take long, only four games to witness this. But, he was the former Selke shut down Center that the Flyers and their proud faithful have come to know. According to John Tortorella via his post game press conference, Couturier matched up against Connor McDavid for 21 out 22 shifts that night. Coots was relegated with shutting down one of the best players in the game, and he did just that as McDavid went home shot-less with just one assist to his name for the night. Even so much so, Couturier registered two assists bringing his point total to four in four games played (1G,3A).
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That was then, and this is now. Couturier has proven to be steady, while doing the little things right throughout the course of the season. Yes his offensive game may not be where once was a few years ago, but his presence on the ice is being felt by the youth. He is the first one of the first players on ice at practice, and the last one to leave it. Last night, he was named the 20th Captain in Flyers history by Flyers’ General Manager Danny Briere, “Sean Couturier is an ideal choice to be the next leader of the Philadelphia Flyers,” Briere said. “Sean was drafted here and has made Philadelphia his home. I have personally seen his development from a responsible forward to one of the best two-way centerman in the game and a playoff performer. The adversity he has had to overcome has only strengthened his proven leadership. In this New Era of Orange with Dan Hilferty, Keith Jones and John Tortorella at the helm, we couldn’t be more proud to call him captain.”
Couturier finally played in the Flyers home opener for the first time in two years. From there he’s been a leader on and off the ice, teaching youth how to win face off, teaching the youth how to become better pros, teach the youth to become a bit more selfless. That is who he is, a leader. Many players have spoken out in favor of Couturier, while calling him a leader in the same token.
“It’s such a great honor. It’s a really prestigious organization so this makes it even more special. This city is my home and I love it here,” Couturier said. “It’s going to be business as usual for me. Nothing is really going to change from me or my game and how I approach things. I love my teammates, how we have grown as a group and I want to make sure we keep going on the right path here.”
“This city is my home and I love it here.” Flyers’ number one Center Sean Couturier
The leash has been getting longer and longer for Couturier, for good reason. When healthy Couturier is a top 10 Center in this game…period. Flyers’ Head Coach John Tortorella continues to hold Couturier another standard, and it’s because Coots had the goods in him. Tortorella knew it immediately that Coots was a leader and well respected. This is a well deserved and earned honor for Couturier.
