Former Wing, Viper inks deal with Flags

The Port Huron Flags have finalized contract details to bring Sylvain Cloutier, their first round pick in the recent Adirondack/Danbury dispersal draft, to Port Huron this fall.

Flags personnel are anticipating great things from the former Adirondack Frostbite center.

"I am expecting Sylvain to lead our team from day one," said Flags' head coach Stan Drulia, who played alongside Cloutier during part of the 1997-98 season with the Detroit Vipers.

In 2005-06, Cloutier recorded 31 goals during the regular season and five more during Adirondack's playoff run. A third-round pick by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, Cloutier has 15 years of professional hockey under his belt, including seven games with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1998-99.

At 6-foot and 195 pounds, Cloutier, 32, can make his presence felt, as evidenced by his 127 penalty minutes last season. He was named UHL Player of the Week on April 3, in recognition of his eight points and plus-6 rating over three games.

Aware of the benefits Cloutier brings to the team, Drulia said, "I saw how valuable he was when things really counted. He stepped up in every situation. Whether it was shutting down a team's best players or scoring in overtime, he always found a way to get the job done."