Flyers name Sean Couturier 20th captain in franchise history
The Philadelphia Flyers gave their fans something to celebrate on Valentine’s Day by naming their first captain in nearly two years, veteran centerman Sean Couturier.
CAPTAIN COOTS!
Sean Couturier has been named the 20th captain in Flyers franchise history. #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/lZNyuJHCXI
Fifth in games played in franchise history (771) and a tireless worker at either end of the ice, ‘Coots’ was a natural choice to become the 20th captain in team history.
Still, after nearly two years away from the game because of a pair of back surgeries, the 31-year-old was no shoo-in; just last offseason, coach John Tortorella was adamant the forwards’s return would not influence his stance on the vacant captaincy.
50 games of proof that Couturier is back to his Selke-winning best have obviously changed Tortorella’s tune, but it was GM Daniel Briere who took point on the statement that accompanied the good news.
“I have personally seen [Couturier’s] development from a responsible forward to one of the best two-way centermen in the game and a playoff performer,” said former teammate Briere. “The adversity he has had to overcome has only strengthened his proven leadership.”
Elsewhere in the revamped leadership group, Scott Laughton keeps his ‘A’ while All-Star Travis Konecny dons a letter for the first time in his career. Laughton was, somewhat unconventionally, the team’s only alternate captain from the opening day of last season through Wednesday afternoon.
The team had been without a captain since trading long-time servant and second-all-time leading scorer Claude Giroux to the Florida Panthers in 2021.
Couturier will try to fill the skates of great Flyers captains like Eric Lindros, Dave Poulin, and Bobby Clarke as Philadelphia presses on toward a playoff berth during a surprisingly strong 2023-24 showing.
Though speculation about the team’s posture ahead of the trade deadline continues to loom large, Wednesday’s captaincy announcement served as a reminder that the team is committed to fostering a competitive environment.
The 29-19–6 Flyers will continue their quest for postseason hockey when new captain Couturier leads them into Toronto for a tilt with the Maple Leafs. Philadelphia could run its winning streak to five with a victory.