EAST RUTHERFORD | A year and a half ago, Sean Couturier went under the knife and wondered if he could play at the same level again.
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Today, the new captain of the Philadelphia Flyers will certainly be nominated for the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded to the NHL player who makes the greatest comeback.
After two surgeries to treat herniated discs that caused him to miss the entire 2022-2023 season and much of the 2021-2022 season, the 31-year-old center came back strong with 33 points in 51 games this season.
“I'm glad I did it, it took longer than I expected. I have worked hard since last year. I wanted to come back and not only be in shape, but at the same level, if not better, than before my injury,” he confided in the Flyers' locker room after playing at MetLife Stadium before Saturday's game against the New Jersey Devils had trained.
“I have been unwell at times over the last two years and now I enjoy every moment because I realize that we cannot always control injuries and that they can end quickly.”
Important role
His coach John Tortorella was full of praise for him, especially since he recognized that the team was still a little in the dark about Couturier's future.
“We didn’t know what would happen after two years and two major surgeries. He handled things well and was therefore named captain.
“He played a key role in helping us find our way this season. He is a quiet guy, but he leads the right way. We have young players and they don't have to look far to see what a professional is, they can watch Sean.
His teammate Nicolas Deslauriers, who is also his locker neighbor, praised Couturier's efforts to come back.
“He is a guy with character who has worked hard and we are all happy for him.”
Like a newbie
After missing nearly two seasons, Couturier realizes he has to relearn how to deal with the demanding daily grind of the NHL.
“When it's been two years since the last game, sometimes it's mentally more difficult. I've been going through a bit of a tough patch offensively lately, but that's what happens in an 82 game season, you just have to be patient.
“Of course there are ups and downs. It's been a long time since I played 82 games, so I feel a bit like a newbie to deal with. I’m trying to be patient and focus on what I need to do to help the team.”
And the beauty of it is that there is nothing to suggest that the problems will resurface.
“So far my back is doing really well, as is the rest of my body. I think I also forgot what it was like to play every other day while dealing with the little aches and pains,” he admits with a laugh.
Difficult
Couturier is very kind and does not hide the fact that in the months following his first and then his second surgery he has not always experienced moments of joy.
“It was difficult at times, there were ups and downs. After the first surgery, I told myself that my season was over and that I would prepare for next year.
“Throughout the summer I was still in a bit of pain and figured I would have to deal with it for the rest of my career, and just before camp, when I started training a little more, I suffered another hernia CD in the same place. I had to have another operation and there were more questions. I wondered if I would do all this to have a third surgery.
So there were doubts, but never enough to give up.
“I wondered if I would stop playing hockey, but giving up was never an option. I stayed positive by putting one foot in front of the other every day.”