Brent Sutter
Sutter in 2012
Born (1962-06-10) June 10, 1962 (age 61)
Viking, Alberta, Canada
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 188 lb (85 kg; 13 st 6 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Right
Played for New York Islanders
Chicago Blackhawks
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 17th overall, 1980
New York Islanders
Playing career 1980–1998

Brent Colin Sutter (born June 10, 1962) is a Canadian former National Hockey League (NHL) player and former head coach of the New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames. Selected by the New York Islanders 17th overall at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, Sutter played over 1,000 games for the Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks during his 18-year career. Regarded as one of the best face-off specialists of his generation, Sutter won the Stanley Cup twice with the Islanders and was an All-Star. He represented Canada on numerous occasions, winning the Canada Cup three times.

After retiring as a player in 1998, Sutter bought the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League and served as the team's head coach and general manager for eight seasons, winning the Memorial Cup in 2001. He coached the Canadian junior team to gold medals at the 2005 and 2006 World Junior Hockey Championships, as well as winning the 2007 Super Series. Sutter compiled a 19–0–1 record in three years as the national junior team coach. He joined the New Jersey Devils as their head coach in 2007. He led the Devils to one division title in two seasons before leaving New Jersey to take on the same position in Calgary, working for brother Darryl, who was at the time, the Flames' general manager.

He is a member of the famous Sutter family. He was one of six brothers, along with Brian, Darryl, Duane, Ron, and Rich, to play in the NHL. Brent and Duane played together for the Islanders when the team won the Stanley Cup in 1982 and 1983.[1] Brent coached his son Brandon and nephew Brett while with Red Deer; both have also gone on to play in the NHL. His daughter Brooke played volleyball for Red Deer College and was a first team conference all star in 2013.

Career

Playing career

Sutter checking the Rangers' Doug Wickenheiser in 1988

Sutter played for the New York Islanders and the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL, finishing with 829 points (363 goals, 466 assists) in 1111 regular season games and 74 points (30 goals, 44 assists) in 144 playoff games.

In the 1980 NHL Entry Draft Sutter was the Islanders' first pick, 17th overall. His tenure with the Islanders lasted between 1981 and 1991 and with much early success. Sutter would have the fortune of being on a team that entered the Stanley Cup Finals in his first three seasons, winning in his first two. Sutter was named captain of the Islanders in 1987, when Denis Potvin relinquished the role.

In 1991, he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks with Brad Lauer for Adam Creighton and Steve Thomas. He spent the last seven years of his NHL career in Chicago. During part of his time with the 'Hawks he was coached by his older brother Darryl. Brent was the last active player in the NHL that had played with the Islanders during their early 1980s dynasty, as well as the last member of the team still with the Islanders when he was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1991. In 1991–92, he helped lead the Hawks to a Stanley Cup Finals appearance, thus playing in four Cup finals in his career.

Coaching career

Sutter coached the Canadian junior ice hockey teams to consecutive gold medals at the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and 2006 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He led both teams to unbeaten records, becoming the first coach to lead Canada to consecutive gold medals. Sutter declined Hockey Canada's offer to return for a third time in 2007.[2] During the eight-game 2007 Super Series, Sutter extended his junior coaching unbeaten record to 20 straight games - 19 of them wins - behind the Canadian bench in international junior play.[3]

Sutter was also the head coach and GM of the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL for eight seasons from 1999 to 2007, leading them to a finals appearance as well as two 50 win seasons.

Sutter resigned as head coach and GM of the Rebels on July 12, 2007 as he reached an agreement to become the next coach of the New Jersey Devils. The following day, Sutter was introduced as head coach of the New Jersey Devils.[4] In the 2007–08 season, Sutter led the Devils to a 46 win season and a playoff berth. The following season, Sutter enjoyed his best season as a head coach, leading the Devils to a franchise best, 51 win season as well as an Atlantic Division title. After a first round playoff exit from the Carolina Hurricanes, Sutter stepped down as coach of the team on June 9, 2009, citing family reasons.[5] However, two weeks later on June 23, Sutter was named head coach of the Calgary Flames by his brother Darryl Sutter, the Flames' general manager. This decision sparked controversy and anger from many Devils fans, players, and front office officials. Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek was openly critical of the decision for Sutter to step down and later sign to coach another team.[6]

On April 12, 2012, he was not offered a new contract by the Calgary Flames. In November 2012, Sutter again took the reins of the Red Deer Rebels, where he also serves as General Manager.

Sutter family in hockey

Main article: Sutter family

The Sutter family, originally from Viking, Alberta, Canada, is one of the most famous families in the National Hockey League (NHL). 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, as Rich Sutter remarked on an episode of the Canadian sports show Off the Record.

Collectively, the six Sutter brothers played over 5000 games (including playoffs) and captured six Stanley Cups. Three members of the second generation of Sutters have played in the NHL, most notably Brent's son Brandon who played 770 NHL games.

Sutter and his wife Connie have three children, sons Merrick and Brandon, and daughter Brooke.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1977–78 Red Deer Rustlers AJHL 60 12 18 30 33 — — — — —
1978–79 Red Deer Rustlers AJHL 60 42 42 84 79 — — — — —
1979–80 Red Deer Rustlers AJHL 59 70 101 171 131 13 10 15 25 16
1979–80 Lethbridge Broncos WHL 5 1 0 1 2 — — — — —
1980–81 Lethbridge Broncos WHL 68 54 54 108 116 9 6 4 10 51
1980–81 New York Islanders NHL 3 2 2 4 0 — — — — —
1981–82 Lethbridge Broncos WHL 34 46 34 80 162 — — — — —
1981–82 New York Islanders NHL 43 21 22 43 114 19 2 6 8 36
1982–83 New York Islanders NHL 80 21 19 40 128 20 10 11 21 26
1983–84 New York Islanders NHL 69 34 15 49 69 20 4 10 14 18
1984–85 New York Islanders NHL 72 42 60 102 51 10 3 3 6 14
1985–86 New York Islanders NHL 61 24 31 55 74 3 0 1 1 2
1986–87 New York Islanders NHL 69 27 36 63 73 5 1 0 1 4
1987–88 New York Islanders NHL 70 29 31 60 55 6 2 1 3 18
1988–89 New York Islanders NHL 77 29 34 63 77 — — — — —
1989–90 New York Islanders NHL 67 33 35 68 65 5 2 3 5 2
1990–91 New York Islanders NHL 75 21 32 53 49 — — — — —
1991–92 New York Islanders NHL 8 4 6 10 6 — — — — —
1991–92 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 61 18 32 50 30 18 3 5 8 22
1992–93 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 65 20 34 54 67 4 1 1 2 4
1993–94 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 73 9 29 38 43 6 0 0 0 2
1994–95 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 47 7 8 15 51 16 1 2 3 4
1995–96 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 80 13 27 40 56 10 1 1 2 6
1996–97 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 39 7 7 14 18 2 0 0 0 6
1997–98 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 52 2 6 8 28 — — — — —
NHL totals 1,111 363 466 829 1,054 144 30 44 74 164

International

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
1984 Canada CC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 8 2 2 4 10
1986 Canada WC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 8 4 7 11 8
1987 Canada CC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 9 1 3 4 6
1991 Canada CC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 8 3 1 4 6
Senior totals 33 10 13 23 30

Coaching career

NHL

Regular season and playoffs
Season Team Regular season Post season
G W L OTL Pts Division rank Result
2007–08 New Jersey Devils 82 46 29 7 99 2nd in Atlantic Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final (Rangers, 4-1)
2008–09 New Jersey Devils 82 51 27 4 106 1st in Atlantic Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final (Hurricanes, 4-3)
2009–10 Calgary Flames 82 40 32 10 90 3rd in Northwest Did not qualify
2010-11 Calgary Flames 82 41 29 12 94 2nd in Northwest Did not qualify
2011-12 Calgary Flames 82 37 29 16 90 2nd in Northwest Did not qualify
NHL totals 410 215 146 49

Junior leagues

Regular season and playoffs
Season Team League Regular season Post season
G W L T OTL Pts Division rank Result
1999–00 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 32 31 9 0 73 3rd in Central Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final
2000–01 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 54 12 3 3 114 1st in Central Won WHL championship
Won Memorial Cup
2002–03 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 50 17 3 2 105 1st in Central Lost final
2003–04 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 35 22 10 5 85 2nd in Central Lost Eastern Conference final
2004–05 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 36 26 6 4 82 4th in Central Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final
2005–06 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 26 40 — 6 58 5th in Central Did not qualify
2006–07 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 35 28 — 9 79 4th in Central Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final
2012–13 Red Deer Rebels WHL 49 29 15 — 5 (85) 3rd in Central Lost Eastern Conference semi-final
2013–14 Red Deer Rebels WHL 73 35 33 — 5 75 5th in Central Lost Eastern Conference tiebreaker
2014–15 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 38 23 — 11 87 3rd in Central Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final
2015–16 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 45 24 — 3 93 2nd in Central Lost Eastern Conference final
Lost Memorial Cup semi-final
2016–17 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 30 29 — 13 73 3rd in Central Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final
2017–18 Red Deer Rebels WHL 72 27 32 — 13 67 3rd in Central Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final
2018–19 Red Deer Rebels WHL 68 33 29 — 6 72 5th in Central Lost Eastern Conference quarter-final
2019–20 Red Deer Rebels WHL 63 24 33 3 3 54 5th in Central Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020–21 Red Deer Rebels WHL 23 4 15 — 4 12 no standings[a] no playoffs[a]
International
Year Event G W L T OTL Result
2005 WJC 6 6 0 0 0 Gold medal
2006 WJC 6 6 0 0 0 Gold medal
2007 SS 8 7 0 1 0 Champions
2014 WJC 7 4 2 0 1 4th place
International totals 27 23 2 1 1

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b The 2020–21 WHL regular season was shortened, started late, then was cancelled early, and no playoffs were held, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Red Deer Rebels were in a mathematical position to finish anywhere from 4th to 5th in the Central Division when the season was cancelled.

References

  1. ^ McEvoy, Colin (February 9, 2023). "The Ultimate Sibling Rivalry: 8 Sets of Brothers Who Faced Off in Sports Championships". Biography. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "Hartsburg to coach Canadian Juniors". TSN. May 26, 2006. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  3. ^ "Canada wins final game of Super Series". TSN. September 9, 2007. Archived from the original on November 4, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  4. ^ "Devils name Sutter as new head coach". TSN. July 13, 2007. Archived from the original on July 17, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  5. ^ Rich Chere (June 9, 2009). "After resigning as New Jersey Devils coach, Brent Sutter says "I'm not a quitter"". Newark Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 9, 2009.
  6. ^ Chere, Rich (June 23, 2009). "New Jersey Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek upset by Brent Sutter's decision to coach Calgary Flames". NJ.com. Retrieved July 2, 2016.

External links

Preceded byDuane Sutter New York Islanders first round draft pick 1980 Succeeded byPaul Boutilier Preceded byDenis Potvin New York Islanders captain 1987–91 Succeeded byPatrick Flatley Preceded byLou Lamoriello Head coach of the New Jersey Devils 2007–09 Succeeded byJacques Lemaire Preceded byMike Keenan Head coach of the Calgary Flames 2009–12 Succeeded byBob Hartley
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