Entering his second season at Boston University, Connor LaCouvee finds himself settling in as the number one goaltender for the Terriers hockey team.
LaCouvee, 21 and hailing from Qualicum Beach, has started six games for the Terriers this season and has the stats to back it up, sporting a record of four wins, one loss and three ties, with a 2.49 goals against average and a .920 save percentage.
Last weekend, LaCouvee backstopped the Terriers to earn a pair of ties against the top ranked Providence Friars. His efforts earned him the Hockey East Co-Defensive Player of the Week honour, having gone 3-0-2 in his last five starts while stopping 64 of 68 shots on net.
“It’s pretty cool,” LaCouvee said. “Obviously, you can’t win a defensive award without the help of the team. I feel it’s a nice testament to how well our defence has been playing.”
With the team getting off to a bit of a slow start, it seems as though the Terriers have turned a corner and are rounding into form. As for LaCouvee, he’s been as steady as can be in net each time out on the ice.
“I think it’s been going well,” LaCouvee said of the team’s start. “I think we all struggled a bit in the beginning, just as new teams can do so often. But each game we’re getting better and working towards our potential.”
After spending his first season sitting behind Matt O’Connor, who spent three seasons at BU before being signed by the NHL Ottawa Senators, LaCouvee learned quite a bit in his freshman year and has put some of what he saw into his own game.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “I know whenever I’m playing I’m having fun. Last year, I got to sit back and watch and learn under Matt, so it was a good experience. I took his advice and methods and I’ve been able to apply them to my game and the thought process that goes along with it.”
“I’m feeling pretty confident, I think as a goalie when you’re feeling confident you’re playing your best hockey. Coming into the season, I maybe put a bit too much pressure on myself and that’s why I didn’t start as well as I would’ve liked to.”
No matter the way the season started, LaCouvee has found his form between the pipes and is making the case every time out for being the starting goaltender for the Terriers.
He also has the eye of the NHL as well, spending time last summer with the New York Rangers’ and Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect camps.
“It was great,” LaCouvee said. “Being able to be a part of the NHL for those two camps, it was just an awesome experience. Just being able to see what it takes to be a pro and how to develop those habits, it was very cool. The level of competition is so high there, even in the prospect camps, so it takes a lot of hard work to get there.”