After more than a season away, Philadelphia Flyers forward Sean Couturier says he’s ready to take the reins again and will do everything he can to fend off the doombirds that foresee other problems ahead.
The veteran spoke to the media on Thursday morning and appears determined to put his back problems behind him, which led to surgery in February 2022. Additionally, observers at his team’s training facility were able to see him skating with ease, which bodes well for the future regular season. The 30-year-old makes no secret of it: He wants to play all 82 games of the 2023-2024 schedule, which would be an achievement in itself and would probably mean a bid for the Bill Masterton Trophy, which underlines the perseverance of a National League hockey player.
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“People are right to question and doubt, but I know my potential and the type of person I am and my character. I want to prove to them and to myself that I can become the player I was again or even better. If there are skeptics, that is always an additional motivation,” said Couturier.
Breaking the ice
Despite his desire to get back on his feet, he remains on guard. His first competitive game will certainly be a very good physical test and we will have to wait and see how he reacts to the opponent’s pressure.
“I’m not going to lie: mentally, this is the first obstacle for me to overcome. “It’s about playing that first meeting and picking up that check and then seeing myself feeling crushed against the boards,” he said. However, everyone – the trainers, the conditioners – is confident that everything will be fine. I’m not worried, but I need to feel it and get over it. Once I get some rest, I’ll feel a lot better.”
Couturier last played on December 18, 2021 and will therefore have the opportunity to prepare during the exhibition schedule. The Flyers begin their preseason on Monday against the New Jersey Devils.