WHL Lethbridge Hurricanes

Hurricanes Broncos Hall of Fame Profiles

February 19, 2009 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Lethbridge Hurricanes News Release


Lethbridge, AB - As the Lethbridge Hurricanes prepare to battle the Medicine Hat Tigers on Friday night at the ENMAX, the organization is also busily preparing for what should be a gala event as the Hurricanes/Broncos Alumni committee will be making their inductions to the Hurricanes Broncos Hall of Fame. In preparation for Friday night's Hall of Fame induction ceremony; the Alumni committee would like to take this opportunity to familiarize and re-familiarize the Lethbridge public with some of their old time hockey heroes. This three part series of profiles began Tuesday with the second eldest of the Sutter brothers and a true junior hockey ambassador; yesterday we profiled the third and fourth eldest of the Sutter brothers. Today we will be featuring the three youngest Sutter brothers Brent, Rich and Ron.

Brent Sutter, third youngest in the Sutter family and was the fourth Sutter to play junior hockey with the Lethbridge Broncos. Brent played one full season with the Broncos, sharing a line with his twin brothers Rich and Ron. He tallied 109 points, 55 goals and 54 assists, and had a total of 116 penalty minutes in 73 games. He was drafted to the New York Islanders in 1980 NHL draft; the same team his brother Duane played for. Brent played with the Isles for 10 years, helping the team to two Stanley Cup championships before being traded to Chicago. He spent seven years with the Blackhawks, serving as the team's captain for five years before retiring at the end of the 1997-1998 season. During in his time in the NHL Brent amassed 1111 regular season games, 829 points, 363 goals and 466 assists, and 1054 penalty minutes. Following his retirement Brent and his wife, Connie, bought the Red Deer Rebels. Brent was the owner, president, general manager, and head coach. Brent guided Red Deer to their first-ever league championship in 2001 and three consecutive WHL Eastern Conference Championships from 2001-03. Brent has also coached internationally, guiding Canadian National Junior team to consecutive 6-0-0 marks and Gold Medals in 2005 and 2006, becoming only individual to ever accomplish feat. He led the Canadian junior squad to 7-0-1 mark in 2007 Super Series versus Russia; and as a player, helped his country to first-place finishes at 1984, 1987, and 1991 Canada Cup Championships. Brent is currently the head coach of the New Jersey Devils.

Rich Sutter, and his twin brother Ron Sutter are the two youngest brothers in the Sutter family. They both played for the Broncos from 1980-1983. Together they helped to lead the Broncos to the Memorial Cup in 1983. While playing in Lethbridge Rich was able to tally 193 games, 177 points, 98 goals and 79 assists, and racked up 718 penalty minutes. Ron tallied a total of 189 games, 220 points, 86 goals and 134 assists, and had 457 penalty minutes. They were both drafted in 1982, Ron by the Flyers and Rich by the Penguins. Rich and Ron were reunited in Philadelphia when Rich was acquired by the Flyers in a trade shortly into their second season in the NHL. The twins played together for three years in Philly before Rich was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in the summer of 1986. Ron remained with the Flyers for nine years, serving as the team's Captain from 1989-1991.Rich played four seasons with the Canucks before being traded to the St. Louis Blues. Ron and Rich were reunited in St. Louis in 1991; where they were coached by big brother Brian. They played together until the fall of 1993 when Rich was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. Rich played for the Blackhawks for two years, spending his last season in the NHL with the Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs before retiring in 1995. In 1994, Ron was on the move again, heading to the Nordiques who, in turn, sent him to the Islanders the next year. Ron signed with the Bruins after only one season in New York, but left the team after the 1995-96 season to join the Sharks. His brother, Darryl, became the head coach the next season, but he was once again on the move, signing with the Flames for the 2000-01 season. Ron was the last of the Sutters to play in the NHL when he retired at the end of the 2000-01 season. Rich totaled 874 regular season games, 149 goals, 166 assists and 1411 penalty minutes. Ron played 1093 regular season games, had 205 goals, 329 assists and 1352 penalty minutes. Since he retired Rich has continued to be involved with the game of hockey he has scouted for the Minnesota Wild and Phoenix Coyotes. He is currently involved with the Lethbridge Hurricanes organization. Ron also continued to remain involved in hockey since retiring; he is currently a scout for the Calgary Flames.

Game time is 7:00 p.m. MST and tickets can be purchased by visiting the ENMAX Centre Ticket Office, the Yates Theatre Centre, by calling (403) 329-SEAT or online at: www.lethbridgehurricanes.com.

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Western Hockey League Stories from February 19, 2009


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