Ron Sutter

Lore & Background

Ron Sutter was drafted 4th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1982 NHL entry draft, the same draft that saw his twin brother, Rich, get drafted 10th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ron and Rich both played on the Lethbridge Broncos in the WHL, and together they led that team to the Memorial Cup in 1983. Rich would only play 9 games for the Penguins after Junior, before being traded to Ron's Flyers. The three seasons that the pair played on the same team in Philadelphia were three of the best years of Ron's career. Ron played with the Flyers until the 1991–92 season, when he was traded to the St. Louis Blues along with Murray Baron, for Dan Quinn and Rod Brind'Amour. Moreover, Rich was playing on the Blues at that time, and the two played two more seasons together. After that, Ron became somewhat of a journeyman in the NHL, playing for St. Louis, the Quebec Nordiques, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, and San Jose Sharks within 4 seasons. Sutter played 4 seasons with the Sharks, being coached by older brother Darryl Sutter, but most of his offensive skills had eroded, and he primarily became a defensive centre. Sutter only averaged 10 points a season in San Jose. Sutter would finish off his career with the Calgary Flames, and retired in 2001. After retiring, Sutter worked for several seasons as a scout for the Calgary Flames. In 2021, he departed from the team.

In Their Own Story

The Forum in 1982 was a cathedral of noise. The air smelled of sawdust and cheap beer. Ron Sutter stood at the blue line, stick dragging, watching the play develop on the far wing. He didn't need to see the pass coming. He never did. The puck snapped off a defenseman's stick, arcing low and flat into the slot. Ron's blade was already there, angled just so, and the one-timer left the stick before the Islanders' defenseman could even turn his shoulders. The net bulged. The Forum erupted into a sound that shook the glass. Ron skated back on his own, jaw set, already watching the next faceoff. Dave was beside him, grinning, fist-bumping him in passing. That was the Sutter Brothers. That was the Kings. And for that one frozen second, the Valley belonged to them.

Reader's Guide

Ron Sutter is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played center and defensive center. He never played for the Los Angeles Kings. His NHL teams were the Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues, Quebec Nordiques, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, and Calgary Flames. He is the twin brother of Rich Sutter, not Dave Sutter. He was not inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. His number is not retired by any team mentioned in the source. He did not have any Stanley Cup Final appearances mentioned in the source.

Did You Know?

• Ron Sutter was drafted 4th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1982 NHL entry draft.
• He is the twin brother of Rich Sutter.
• He played 4 seasons with the San Jose Sharks, coached by his older brother Darryl Sutter.
• He retired in 2001 after finishing his career with the Calgary Flames.