The Philadelphia Flyers have signed center Sean Couturier to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value (AAV) of $7.75M, according to President of Hockey Operations & General Manager Chuck Fletcher. The contract will go into effect beginning with the 2022-23 season.
Flyers sign Sean Couturier to eight year contract extension
All-Star, Selke winning center inks deal worth $7.75M annually to stay in Philly
"We are excited to announce Sean's long term extension with the Flyers today," said President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Chuck Fletcher. "As one of the premier two-way centers in the NHL, Sean has the rare talent to shut down opposing team's top players while also contributing at a high offensive level. Throughout his 10 year career with the Flyers, he has proven to be the ultimate teammate. He carries an enormous presence inside our dressing room due to his preparation, determination and drive to win."
"Sean is a cornerstone of this team, and we are thrilled that he'll be in Orange and Black for years to come," said Dave Scott, Governor of the Flyers. "With his leadership, grit, and ability on both ends of the ice, Sean is essential to the future of this team, and we couldn't be happier to keep him in Philadelphia for the long term."
"To be part of the Flyers organization for another eight years following next year is extremely exciting," Couturier said. "I like the way the team is built and the mix of players that we have. I'm really looking forward to it but especially this year. We've made a lot of changes, but it's all positive and very exciting."
SEAN COUTURIER
POSITION: Center
DRAFTED:2011 - 1st Round (8th overall) by FLYERS
AGE:28 (12-7-1992)
BORN:Phoenix, Arizona
VITALS:6'3", 211 lbs
SHOOTS:Left
* The contract will take effect for the 2022-23 season and run through the 2029-30 season.
* Last season, 2020-21, Couturier led the team in points per-game (.91) which was the third-highest of his career and goals per-game (.40) which was the second-highest of his career.
* He recorded 41 points (18g-23a) in 45 games after missing 11 games to a shoulder injury - his 18 goals ranked second on the team.
* He won the Bobby Clarke Trophy as Team MVP for the third consecutive season becoming just the third player in Flyers history to do that (Hextall: 86-89 | Lindros: 93-96).
* Couturier has twice been a finalist for the NHL's Frank J. Selke Trophy as "the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game." (2017-18 & 2019-20).
* He won the Selke Trophy for his performance in 2019-20 when he finished the regular season ranked second in points (59), tied for second in assists (37) and third in goals (22)... He led the team for the most even-strength points (46), a plus-minus rating of +21 and all forwards in average ice-time (19:50).
* Couturier also led the team and all players in the NHL in face-off win percentage (59.6) that season.
* Over the last five seasons, since the start of the 2016-17 season, Couturier has led all Flyers in goals scored (118), including even-strength goals (95) and game-winning goals (21)... He has also led the Flyers in even-strength points (197).
* Since making his NHL debut in 2011 as an 18-year-old, Couturier has spent all 10 seasons in the league with the Flyers where he has posted 174 goals and 269 assists for 443 points in 692 regular season games.
* He has 22 points (10g-12a) in 39 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, which includes 18 points (7g-11a) in 20 games over the last two playoff seasons.
* Of the 2011 Draft Class, Couturier leads all players in games played (692) and is third in plus-minus (+88).
* He was the Flyers 1st Round draft pick (8th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in which the team acquired from Columbus in a trade that saw Jeff Carter go to the Blue Jackets in exchange for the 8th overall selection, Jakub Voracek and the 68th overall selection (Nick Cousins) in the 2011 Draft.
* Internationally, Couturier has represented Canada throughout his career... He won a gold medal at the 2015 IIHF World Championships and two silver medals in 2017 & 2019... He also won a silver medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships and played for Team North America in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
