Close Up On A Flyer: Sean Couterier

Every week, I will be taking a look at one of the Flyer’s young prospects on the team or on the Adirondack Phantoms. First up, first-round draft pick Sean Couterier. The first-round pick used on the 6’4 center was acquired in the Jeff Carter trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. His skill set has been compared to Jordan and Eric Staal. Wow!

With the 2011 NHL draft approaching, critics knocked on Couterier for having a slow start to his 2010-2011 season in Drummondville. After dealing with mono as the season started, Couterier still was able to post 96 points again. Dealing with the illness and incredibly lofty expectations allowed the Flyers to pick Couterier with the 8th overall pick which was immediately tabbed as a steal being able to get such a dynamic player at the 8th overall slot.

In training camp and in the preseason, Couterier had an impressive showing earning himself a spot on the opening night roster at the start of the regular season. Through the first 8 games he has only continued his impressive start. To date, Couterier has 2 goals and 2 assists while averaging over 13 minutes of ice-time per game. What is even more impressive is that coach Peter Laviolette continues to put him out there in penalty kill and late game situations where a big defensive stop is needed.

Couterier has largely silenced his detractors with his play so far. While he is playing on the 4th line with Maxime Talbot and Jody Shelley or Andreas Nodl, he continues to come up with scoring chances for himself and his line mates. His play on the penalty kill—from keeping the other team from getting solid scoring chances to some short-handed rushes he has created with his speed have shown that he is a superb defensive forward already at the age of 18.

While Couterier could benefit from adding some muscle onto his 6’4 frame, sending him back to juniors would not do much for him from an experience level. He has shown to date that he can handle nearly every situation, even high pressure situations late in games when the team is trying to hold a close lead. I believe that he will benefit the most from playing in the NHL all season and will begin scoring more as the season progresses.