Logan Couture
Ottawa 67’s Alumni (2005-2009)
In the 2005 OHL Priority Selection the Ottawa 67’s used their first round pick (12th overall) to select Logan Couture. Couture had an impressive rookie campaign averaging nearly a point per game, 64 points in 65 games. Couture was also selected to a member of Team Ontario at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge during his rookie season. Couture exploded at the tournament averaging a goal and an assist a game with five goals and five assists in 5 games. Unfortunately, Team Ontario did not medal.
Couture followed up his rookie campaign by improving on his point totals, scoring 78 points in 54 games. Logan was also selected to represent Team OHL at the Canada/Russia Series, Team OHL would beat Team Russia 4-3. He also represented the Barber Poles at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game. Couture would also be called on to represent the country at the World U18 Championships. Logan finished with two goals and two assists in six games and once again finished without a medal, losing in the bronze medal game.
Following his sophomore season, Couture entered the NHL draft. He was selected 9th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the first round. Couture would not stick with the big club and would return to the 67’s the following year. His production decline slightly that year but despite that, during the year end Coaches Poll, Couture was deemed to be one of the top three smartest players and the league and one of the top three best player makers in the league.
Couture would return for the 2008-09 season for one final year with the 67’s. Logan would receive the honour of team captain that year and go on to have his highest point production in the OHL that year. The captain would record 87 points in 62 games! Unsurprisingly the 19 year old was once again called upon to represent Team OHL in both of its games in the Canada/Russia Series. Following the season, Couture was once again named by the coaches in the Coaches Poll, finishing top three in the league in smartest player, hardest working player and best defensive forward.
Couture’s first full professional season would be split between San Jose and its affiliate club in Worcester. After that he has been with San Jose full time (excluding a stint with Genève-Servette HC during the NHL lockout). As a member of the San Jose Sharks, couture was named to the 2011-2012 all-star game and during San Jose’s run for the Cup (which ultimately ended in a loss in the finals) Couture led the NHL Playoffs in assists (20) and points (30). During the 2015-16 season, Logan was also awarded an ‘A’ as assistant captain of the club. Since then, Couture has also represented Canada at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, winning a gold medal with the team. Today, he remains with the San Jose Sharks and is under contract until the 2018-19 season.