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02-10-2005, 03:22 PM
Sutter patriarch passes away at 73
Canadian Press
2/10/2005
VIKING, Alta. (CP) - Louis John Sutter, who watched six of his sons play in the NHL, died Thursday following a lengthy illness. He was 73.
"All of Alberta and the hockey world understand the impact that Mr. Sutter and his family have had on our game and in our communities," Ken King, president of the Calgary Flames who are managed and coached by Darryl Sutter, said in a statement. "Mr. Sutter instilled strong values, strong character and strong work ethic in his sons.
"We extend our sympathies to Mrs. Grace Sutter, her sons and their families on the loss of Mr. Sutter."
He passed away in the Viking Hospital.
Louis and Grace Sutter raised seven sons - the oldest, Gary, was the only one not to play in the NHL - in a 800-square-foot, four-bedroom house on a 1,400 acre farm in this community southeast of Edmonton.
All six Sutters who made it to the NHL remain involved in the sport.
Brian, 48, is head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks.
"There is nobody in the world with a bigger or stronger heart than Louis Sutter," Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz said. "Fortunately for us, all his great heart was passed on to all his children."
Darryl, 46, guided the Flames to the Stanley Cup final last spring. His father was too ill to attend the games.
Duane, 44, is director of player development for the Florida Panthers, the team he once coached. Brent, 42, is GM-coach of the WHL's Red Deer Rebels, and coached Canada to the world junior title last month. Twins Rich and Ron, 41, are both pro scouts - Rich for the Minnesota Wild and Ron for the Flames.
For five seasons in the 1980s, all six played in the NHL. The 2000-2001season marked the 25th consecutive year that a Sutter brother played in the NHL. Collectively, they played 4,994 regular-season games (plus 603 playoff games) and scored 1,320 goals, had 1,615 assists and served 7,224 minutes in penalties.
Shaun Sutter, Brian's son, was drafted by the Flames in 1998.
Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday in Viking.
On a side note, a lot of people don't know it, but the Sutter's oldest son was actually the most talented hockey player in the family. He chose not to leave the family farm at 14 to play Jr hockey though. They very well could have had all 7 sons play in the NHL.
Canadian Press
2/10/2005
VIKING, Alta. (CP) - Louis John Sutter, who watched six of his sons play in the NHL, died Thursday following a lengthy illness. He was 73.
"All of Alberta and the hockey world understand the impact that Mr. Sutter and his family have had on our game and in our communities," Ken King, president of the Calgary Flames who are managed and coached by Darryl Sutter, said in a statement. "Mr. Sutter instilled strong values, strong character and strong work ethic in his sons.
"We extend our sympathies to Mrs. Grace Sutter, her sons and their families on the loss of Mr. Sutter."
He passed away in the Viking Hospital.
Louis and Grace Sutter raised seven sons - the oldest, Gary, was the only one not to play in the NHL - in a 800-square-foot, four-bedroom house on a 1,400 acre farm in this community southeast of Edmonton.
All six Sutters who made it to the NHL remain involved in the sport.
Brian, 48, is head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks.
"There is nobody in the world with a bigger or stronger heart than Louis Sutter," Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz said. "Fortunately for us, all his great heart was passed on to all his children."
Darryl, 46, guided the Flames to the Stanley Cup final last spring. His father was too ill to attend the games.
Duane, 44, is director of player development for the Florida Panthers, the team he once coached. Brent, 42, is GM-coach of the WHL's Red Deer Rebels, and coached Canada to the world junior title last month. Twins Rich and Ron, 41, are both pro scouts - Rich for the Minnesota Wild and Ron for the Flames.
For five seasons in the 1980s, all six played in the NHL. The 2000-2001season marked the 25th consecutive year that a Sutter brother played in the NHL. Collectively, they played 4,994 regular-season games (plus 603 playoff games) and scored 1,320 goals, had 1,615 assists and served 7,224 minutes in penalties.
Shaun Sutter, Brian's son, was drafted by the Flames in 1998.
Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday in Viking.
On a side note, a lot of people don't know it, but the Sutter's oldest son was actually the most talented hockey player in the family. He chose not to leave the family farm at 14 to play Jr hockey though. They very well could have had all 7 sons play in the NHL.