Slated to go 4th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the native of Phoenix, Arizona can easily be compared to Big Joe Thornton. Akin to Thornton, Couturier has size, vision and plays with a serious, physical edge. However, what makes really makes Couturier a prized commodity in this years draft was his ability to score 96 points in back to back seasons.
Moreover in 2009, Couturier won the QMJHL scoring title at the tender age of 17. A feat which hasn't been matched since some guy name Sidney Crosby did so 6 years ago.
'We seem to click out there and the passes are on the tape,'' said line-mate Louis Leblanc. ''He protects the puck and sees the ice really well. He's a good overall package.''
Couturier is exactly that "a complete package". He is very strong on the puck and has all the tools to be sound two-way forward.
While hockey pundits see Couturier as an offensive forward, the Drummondville Voltigeurs pivot has a lot more to bring.
''He played for us last summer at the Under-18 Ivan Hlinka tournament and took on a role as a shut-down centre playing against the best players from all the other countries. said Team Canada Junior Scout, Al Murray. "He's shown us at the international level, on the big ice surface, that he can skate and play defensively.
''He brings that to the Quebec league as well as being the leading scorer in the league, so I don't think there's anything that Sean hasn't been able to do at the junior level. He's been on our radar for a number of years."
''It's important for me to play a good defensive game,'' Couturier said. ''That's where all my offence starts...getting the puck out and going on attack."
''You want to be that guy at the end of the game that you can count on defensively to shut down and not get scored on. You always want to be in those key moments.''
Couturier's last statement speaks volumes.
In 2009, he also posted a remarkable -62 rating.
Next up...Jonathan Huberdeau
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