On Monday night, in the aftermath of his team’s Calder Cup playoff exit against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Calgary Wranglers captain Brett Sutter joined Pat Steinberg on Sportsnet 960 The Fan’s Flames Talk. Among other topics, Sutter briefly commented on his playing future.
He admitted he hasn’t spent a lot of time thinking about it yet, but added: “If I’m going to play again, I’d like it to be here.”
The 2022-23 season was a homecoming for the 35-year-old Sutter. The eldest son of former Flames general manager and head coach Darryl Sutter, he was a sixth-round selection of the Flames in 2005 (back when his dad was GM) but he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes early in the 2010-11 season after Brett was involved in an altercation outside a Phoenix bar.
After that rough start, Sutter rounded himself into a really good pro. He served as captain for the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, for three seasons. Then he spent parts of two seasons in the Minnesota organization, primarily with the Iowa Wild. And then he spent parts of seven seasons with the Los Angeles Kings organization, including five seasons as captain with the AHL’s Ontario Reign. The 2022-23 season, where he captained the Wranglers, was his ninth wearing a C in the AHL. He played his 1,000th AHL game earlier in the season.
Playing at home, in front of family and friends, for the first time since 2010, Sutter had a strong season in a checking role. Playing primarily as the Wranglers’ third-line centre, he had 14 goals and 29 points in 70 games and finished tied for ninth on the club in points. He emerged as an emotional leader for the club and a player that could be relied upon for value in tough minutes situations.
Sutter spent the 2022-23 season on an AHL contract. If he’s willing to return on the same terms for another season as Wranglers captain, keeping him in the fold could be a really smart move for all involved.
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