He started out in junior with the Noranda Copper Kings fom 1936-38 then went to the Atlantic City Sea Gulls of the Eastern Hockey League for a season. That was followed by three years in Quebec senior hockey. In 1942-43, while with the Philadelphia Falcons of the Eastern League, Courteau was named to the second all-star team. the following year he was named to the first all-star team with the Boston Olympics of the same league. That earned him a call-up to the Boston Bruins for six games in 1943-44. He was a second team all-star again in 1944-45 with the Olympics.