Brent Sutter

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

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. 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. Sutter was inducted into the New York Islanders Hall of Fame on January 18, 2025.

In Their Own Story

The arena hums with the nervous energy of a sold-out crowd at Stampede Corral in 1983. The scoreboard flashes late in the third period; the score is tied, and the Flames are exhausted. Brent Sutter skates to the face-off dot, his jersey stained with ice shavings and sweat. He doesn't just look for a pretty pass; he looks for an opening to drive forward, to impose his will on the game. As the puck drops, he battles for possession, absorbing a heavy check that would have knocked a lesser man off balance, yet he keeps moving, feeding the line with a no-nonsense cross-ice pass that sets up the winning goal.

Reader's Guide

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 Final 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 Final appearance, thus playing in four Cup finals in his 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. 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. 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. 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 Div

Did You Know?

• Brent Sutter was selected by the New York Islanders 17th overall at the 1980 NHL entry draft.
• He won the Stanley Cup twice with the Islanders (1982 and 1983).
• Sutter was named captain of the Islanders in 1987.
• He was the last active NHL player who had played with the Islanders during their early 1980s dynasty.
• Sutter coached the Canadian junior team to gold medals at the 2005 and 2006 World Junior Hockey Championships.