Greg7
Registered User
- Feb 5, 2004
- 769
- 0
Drafted in the 7th round in 2003 by Minnesota. Very skilled, but only 5'10 175 or so. One year ago, I would have told you that he has no shot at playing in the NHL, and might make a decent AHLer if he wants to. However, despite his not that impressive numbers as an overager in the WHL (78 points after 82 and 85 points), I think he now has a better chance to play than ever before, and has completely turned a corner in terms of his commitment to becoming a pro. Under Don Hay, I have watched Courchaine learn that in order for him to have a chance at the NHL, he must commit himself to becoming a well rounded two way player good in all three zones, and he has done that. He is by no means a defensive gem, and he will probably never be a guy who drives to the net, but the fact that he has realized what he has to do to make it is the biggest step he will have to make.
I know all the knocks on him. He's small, he's not strong enough, he needs better footspeed, he has to learn to embrace physical play, he must get better in the dirty areas, etc. But I am beginning to believe he can improve these areas if he is willing to put in the work, which I now think he is. He is too smart, too fast, and too skilled to fade away, and if he can continue to play the way he did in the playoffs this year I don't see why he can't take his game to the next level. His work ethic, passion, commitment to defense and will to win, all of which I previously thought he lacked, suddenly became his greatest assets in this year's playoffs. He was the only Giant on the ice that was consistenly dangerous, he was excellent on the draw, he worked in all three zones, and he even tried to throw his weight around a bit.
My question to those who know him is, do you agree? I admit, I really fell in love with the guy in the playoffs, and I can't tell if I like him because he's turned the corner, or I think he's turned the corner because I like him. Hopefully he goes out and makes Houston next year and continues to grow and eventually makes the Wild, in any capacity. It would just be a terrible shame to see such vision and talent wasted, especially after the strides he made this year.
So does Courchaine have a shot at playing in the NHL, or am I a disillusioned fan?
I know all the knocks on him. He's small, he's not strong enough, he needs better footspeed, he has to learn to embrace physical play, he must get better in the dirty areas, etc. But I am beginning to believe he can improve these areas if he is willing to put in the work, which I now think he is. He is too smart, too fast, and too skilled to fade away, and if he can continue to play the way he did in the playoffs this year I don't see why he can't take his game to the next level. His work ethic, passion, commitment to defense and will to win, all of which I previously thought he lacked, suddenly became his greatest assets in this year's playoffs. He was the only Giant on the ice that was consistenly dangerous, he was excellent on the draw, he worked in all three zones, and he even tried to throw his weight around a bit.
My question to those who know him is, do you agree? I admit, I really fell in love with the guy in the playoffs, and I can't tell if I like him because he's turned the corner, or I think he's turned the corner because I like him. Hopefully he goes out and makes Houston next year and continues to grow and eventually makes the Wild, in any capacity. It would just be a terrible shame to see such vision and talent wasted, especially after the strides he made this year.
So does Courchaine have a shot at playing in the NHL, or am I a disillusioned fan?