Boucher honed Couturier's defensive game

NJ.com profiles Philadelphia Flyers forward Sean Couturier, who teammate Mark Streit believes will be a strong candidate to win the Selke Trophy one day.

Couturier reflects on being a rookie playing junior in the QMJHL for the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

“Growing up I really was more offensive-minded,” Couturier said. “Then when I got to junior, I had Guy Boucher as a coach and I was more on the third and fourth lines. To be consistently in the lineup, I had to be a solid two-way forward and take care of my own end. At a young age, 15-16 years old, I kind of had to be that way if I wanted to play.

“It just got into my game, and ever since that’s the way I played. If you want to be that guy at the end of the game, up a goal or down a goal, you’ve got to be reliable defensively. I try to take pride in it. Sometimes that’s how you to have to prove yourself.”

Source: Randy Miller, NJ.com