Darryl Sutter
Stanley Cup-winning coach and former Blackhawks alternate captain
Darryl John Sutter (born August 19, 1958) is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player. He most recently served as head coach of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is one of seven Sutter brothers, six of whom made the NHL (Brian, Darryl, Duane, Brent, Rich and Ron); all but Rich and Gary (the seventh Sutter brother) worked alongside Darryl in some capacity during his first tenure with the Flames.
- Role
- Head Coach
- Team
- Los Angeles Kings
- Championships
- 2 (2012, 2014)
- Era
- 2010s Dynasty
- Family Legacy
- Sutter Hockey Clan
- Status
- Former Executive
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
As a player, Sutter, like his brothers, earned a reputation for high work ethic and aggressive, tough play as he suited up for more than 400 games. Sutter served as an alternate captain of the Chicago Blackhawks for five years until injuries forced him to retire from professional hockey at age 28. In addition to the Flames, Sutter has served as the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks, San Jose Sharks, and Los Angeles Kings. He coached the Kings to Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014, though Andy Murray holds the record for most wins by a Kings head coach in the regular season. He also previously worked for the Flames in multiple capacities, serving as the team's head coach from 2002 to 2006 and general manager between 2003 and 2010. Sutter rejoined the Flames in 2021 for his second stint as the team's head coach.
In Their Own Story
The transition from player to coach began immediately after Sutter retired at age 28 following the 1986–87 season. He joined the Chicago Blackhawks as an assistant coach under Bob Murdoch for the 1987–88 season before taking his first head coaching job with the Saginaw Hawks of the International Hockey League (IHL). In the 1989–90 season, he led the Indianapolis Ice to a Turner Cup championship and earned the IHL Commissioners' Trophy as coach of the year. His journey back to the NHL as an associate coach under Mike Keenan with Chicago culminated in the 1992 Stanley Cup Final loss to Pittsburgh. This experience paved the way for him to negotiate with the Los Angeles Kings in June 1992 after Keenan stepped down. Decades later, Sutter returned to the NHL scene as head coach of the Kings, guiding them to back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2014, cementing his status as the franchise's winningest coach.
Reader's Guide
Sutter grew up playing hockey near his home of Viking, Alberta, and like his brother Brian Sutter, he was coached and mentored by former NHL defenceman and Chicago Black Hawks coach Clem Loughlin. He played for the Red Deer Rustlers of the AJHL, then the Lethbridge Broncos of the WCHL, and was drafted 179th overall by the Chicago Black Hawks in the 1978 NHL entry draft. He played one season in Japan for Iwakura Tomakomai before joining the Black Hawks' AHL affiliate New Brunswick Hawks, where he won the AHL rookie of the year award. Sutter played 406 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, scoring 40 goals in his first full season (1980–81) and serving as team captain from 1982 until his retirement in 1987 due to injuries. He began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Blackhawks in 1987–88, then became head coach of the IHL's Saginaw Hawks for the 1988–89 season.
Did You Know?
- Sutter's 136 points in the 1975–76 AJHL season was second in league scoring, and his 133 points the following season led the AJHL.
- He scored his first NHL goal on December 16, 1979, in a 7–3 win over the Detroit Red Wings.
- Sutter averaged 0.397 goals per game in the NHL, the highest among the six Sutter brothers.
- He coached the Los Angeles Kings to Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Darryl Sutter?
Darryl Sutter is a Canadian hockey legend and member of the famous Sutter family who served as the head coach for the Los Angeles Kings. He previously played in the NHL, notably captaining the Chicago Blackhawks before injuries ended his playing career at age 28.
What championships did Darryl Sutter win with the Kings?
As the head coach, he led the Los Angeles Kings to back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014. These titles cemented his legacy as the architect of the franchise's modern dynasty.
Why is Darryl Sutter considered important to the Kings?
Sutter is revered for transforming the team into a championship contender, becoming the winningest coach in Los Angeles Kings history. His leadership established a culture of toughness and high work ethic that defined the club's most successful era.
What was Darryl Sutter's background before coaching?
Before his coaching tenure, he was known as a tough, hard-working forward who served as captain for five years with the Chicago Blackhawks. He is also one of seven brothers, six of whom played in the NHL, highlighting his deep family roots in hockey.
How does Darryl Sutter's story end with the Kings?
After building a dynasty and securing two championships, he eventually stepped down as head coach to take on an executive role within the organization. His departure marked the conclusion of an era where he held the record for most wins in franchise history.
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