2011 NHL Draft Results: B/R Interview with Sean Couturier

Ranked as the No. 2 North American skater in the mid-term rankings, Sean Couturier's stock dropped over the year, but he still remained No. 6 skater and should be an impact player in the NHL.

Couturier spent the last three seasons with the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL. During his second season in 2009-10, he led the Q with 96 points (41 goals, 55 assists).

At 6'3", 192 pounds, Couturier is one of the larger players in the draft and will be able to use his size to his advantage as he grows into his body.

At an unprecedented Reebok-CCM sponsored event at the St. Thomas Ice Arena in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Couturier sat down with Bleacher Report to discuss the draft process and his future in the National Hockey League.

Questions are presented in bold. Answers are in standard print.

Tom Schreier is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report. Interviews were conducted at a Reebok-CCM NHL Draft Prospects Event in Mendota Heights, MN.

On the QMJHL's Ability to Produce NHL-Caliber Players

On the QMJHL:

It’s a great league. It’s Major Junior and part of the CHL, so it’s the best junior players.

How do you feel they prepared you for the NHL?

Since I’ve been there, it’s been three years already, it’s gone by pretty fast, and since I’ve been there, they’ve been treating me well, first class and professional, and it should help me to play in the NHL one day.

On Leading the QMJHL in Points in 2009-10

What was it like to lead the Q in points in 2009-10?

It was pretty special. I wasn’t really expecting that at 17, but overall, it was a great team, and we surprised a lot of people. We weren’t supposed to be that good, and we made a good run, so I’m pretty proud to be a Voltigeur.

Is there anything you did that year that will transfer over to the NHL level?

Not really. I just played my game, two-way forward, reliable defensively and offensively. I like to control the play and create space for my teammates. I had Gabriel Dumont (selected by Montreal 139th overall in 2009) that year, and he scored about 50 goals (he scored 51), so that helped.

Overall, just try to stay the same player I am and hope things go well.

On Being an Impact Player in the NHL

Is there anything you have to do, specifically, to take the next step?

My skating ability, especially my first three steps, are something I’m working on since I’m young, have gotten better, but there’s some improvement there for sure.

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