Sutter family
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sutter family, originally from Viking, Alberta, Canada, is one of the most famous families in the National Hockey League. Six brothers: Brian, Darryl, Duane, Brent, Rich and Ron, reached the NHL in the 1970s and 80s. Four brothers: Brian, Duane, Darryl and Brent have gone on to become coaches and general managers as well. A seventh brother named Gary is said by his brothers to have been the best hockey player of all seven boys. Rather than making his living as a hockey player, Gary stayed home to work on the family farm. He later won the lottery. As Rich Sutter remarked on an episode of the Canadian sports show Off the Record, the only reason Gary didn't make the NHL was girls.
Collectively, the six Sutter brothers played over 5000 games and captured six Stanley Cups. The second generation of Sutters are coming up through the Western Hockey League, with two having been drafted by the Calgary Flames.
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[edit] First generation
All six brothers took the same path to the NHL. Each player began their junior careers with the Red Deer Rustlers of the Alberta Junior Hockey League before moving onto the WHL's Lethbridge Broncos. A seventh brother, Gary, was offered a tryout with the Rustlers at the same time Brian was, however he declined, choosing not to pursue the dream of playing in the NHL. Gary's brothers have suggested that he may have been the best player of all of them.[1]
[edit] Brent
Drafted in the first round, 17th overall by the New York Islanders in 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Brent Sutter had the most success in the NHL, playing 1111 games and recording 829 points. He won the Stanley Cup twice with the Islanders in 1982 and 1983 along with his brother Duane. After finishing his NHL career, he bought the WHL's Red Deer Rebels where he also formerly served as the Rebels' Head Coach and General Manager. Brent led the Rebels to the Memorial Cup in 2001. He also became the first coach to lead Canada to consecutive gold medals at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, which he did in 2005 and 2006. In 2007, Brent left his posts with the Rebels to become the Head coach of the New Jersey Devils.
[edit] Brian
The elder brother, Brian Sutter, was drafted by the St. Louis Blues 20th overall in the 1976 NHL Entry Draft and by the Edmonton Oilers 36th overall in the 1976 WHA Entry Draft. He played 12 seasons, all with the St. Louis Blues, appearing in three All-Star Games before becoming a head coach with the Blues, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks. Brian won the Jack Adams Award as best coach in 1991. His #11 is retired by the Blues.
[edit] Darryl
Darryl Sutter was the lowest draft pick of the family, waiting until the 11th round, 179th overall before being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. Darryl's playing career was cut short by injuries in 1987 after which he turned to coaching. Darryl spent 11 seasons coaching the Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames - leading the latter to a surprising run to the 7th game of the Stanley Cup Finals as both the coach and General Manager in 2003-04. Darryl resigned as coach of the Flames to focus on his General Manager's duties in 2006. His son Brett Sutter currently plays for Calgarys AHL affiliate team, the Quad City Flames
[edit] Duane
Duane Sutter was selected by the Islanders, 17th overall in the 1979 draft. He won the Stanley Cup in his first four seasons with the Islanders. Duane also briefly coached the Florida Panthers from 2000-02.
[edit] Rich
Rich Sutter, twin brother of Ron, was drafted 10th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft. He led the Lethbridge Broncos to a WHL championship in 1983 and a Memorial Cup appearance. Rich played 874 games with seven teams during his 13 year career.
[edit] Ron
Ron Sutter was the highest draft pick of the family, taken 4th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1982 - six spots ahead of his twin brother Rich. He was also a leader of the 1983 WHL champion Broncos. Ron also played for seven teams during his NHL career. Ron is also the only Sutter brother to play professionally for an Alberta team, having finished his career with the Calgary Flames in 2000-01. Rich and Ron spent three seasons together with the Flyers in the early 1980s, and three more with the Blues later in their careers. As a San Jose Shark, Ron was coached by brother Darryl.
[edit] Careers statistics
| Regular Season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| Brian Sutter | 1976-88 | 779 | 303 | 333 | 636 | 1786 | 65 | 21 | 21 | 42 | 249 | ||
| Darryl Sutter | 1979-87 | 406 | 161 | 118 | 279 | 288 | 51 | 24 | 19 | 43 | 26 | ||
| Duane Sutter | 1979-90 | 731 | 139 | 203 | 342 | 1333 | 161 | 26 | 32 | 58 | 405 | ||
| Brent Sutter | 1980-98 | 1111 | 363 | 466 | 829 | 1054 | 144 | 30 | 44 | 74 | 164 | ||
| Rich Sutter | 1982-95 | 874 | 149 | 166 | 315 | 1411 | 78 | 13 | 5 | 18 | 133 | ||
| Ron Sutter | 1982-01 | 1093 | 205 | 328 | 533 | 1352 | 104 | 8 | 32 | 40 | 193 | ||
| Combined | 1976-01 | 4994 | 1320 | 1614 | 2934 | 7224 | 603 | 122 | 153 | 275 | 1170 | ||
[edit] Second generation
Thus far, three second generation Sutters have played in the WHL with another in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and several others playing in minor hockey[2]
Shaun Sutter, Brian's son, was drafted by the Flames in the 4th round, 102nd overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft but never made it to the NHL. He spent much of his career in the ECHL, before heading to Europe to play in the British Elite Ice Hockey League in 2005. He played the second half of the 05/06 season for Nottingham Panthers, then moved to their rivals, the Sheffield Steelers for the 06/07 season. In the 07/08 season he is playing for the Belfast Giants.
Brett Sutter, Darryl's son, was also drafted by the Flames as the 179th overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. He was the captain of his uncle Brent's Red Deer Rebels, playing with his cousin Brandon. He is currently with the Quad City Flames of the AHL.
Brandon Sutter, Brent's son, is an assistant captain with the Rebels and has been drafted 11th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Francis, Eric, Big brother is watching, Calgary Sun, February 6, 2004, accessed December 29, 2006
- ^ Tait, Cam New wave of Sutters], Edmonton Journal, December 21, 2006 (subscription required)
