Rookie Round-Up: Connor LaCouvee, Maine Mariners

The Rookie Round-Up gives ECHL fans the chance to get to know a rookie who has signed with an ECHL team for the 2018-19 season.  This week, the ECHL spoke with Connor LaCouvee of the Maine Mariners. After finishing his collegiate career at Minnesota State University-Mankato, he’s ready to get started on the next chapter – get to know him in this Q&A!

Name: Connor LaCouvee

Age: 24

Hometown: Qualicum Beach, British Columbia

ECHL Team: Maine Mariners

2017-18 Team: Minnesota State University-Mankato (31 gp, 23-6-1, 1.80 GAA, .914 save pct.)

ECHL: What should Mariners’ fans know about you?

Connor LaCouvee: I’m a goalie from Vancouver Island in Canada. I played three years at Boston University, and then played my senior season at Minnesota State-Mankato after I graduated early at BU.

ECHL: How does someone from western Canada end up at Boston University?

CL: I was playing in the British Columbia Hockey League with Alberni Valley and we had a good run at the end of the season and playoffs. I was talking to Albie O'Connell, who was then an assistant coach at BU, and we really hit it off and I found myself there and really enjoyed it.

ECHL: Is it exciting to be part of a team as it enters its first season in existence?

CL: Absolutely. I’ve heard many great things about the Portland area and I can’t wait to get there and get started. I have a few buddies from college who have played there and said it’s a great arena, and a cool place to play.

ECHL: What is the most memorable moment of your hockey career so far?

CL: I have a few that standout. Winning the Beanpot Tournament my freshman year at BU was pretty unbelievable. We also won in a shootout against Cornell at Madison Square Garden when I was a sophomore. And we advanced all the way to the National Championship Game, which was played in Boston, in my freshman season.

ECHL: Are there any goaltenders you model your game after?

CL: I don’t really try to model my game after anyone. There are several goalies I really enjoy watching, especially Sergei Bobrovsky. I just think he’s an awesome goalie who is competitive and a great skater.

ECHL: How have you been spending your summer?

CL: I’ve really been all over the place this summer. I went back to Boston to walk with my graduating class at BU so I was there for about a month. Then I came home to Vancouver Island to see my younger brother graduate high school so I was there for about two weeks. Now I’m back in Minnesota to train and work out before I head to Portland for training camp.

ECHL: What are you most looking forward to about pro hockey?

CL: Just enjoying something that I do every day. I can’t wait to get it started.