Brett Sutter’s return to the Calgary Wranglers keeps a unique Flames streak alive

On Tuesday, the Calgary Wranglers announced that captain Brett Sutter will be returning for the 2023-24 season. With Sutter back to captain the Calgary Flames’ top developmental club, a unique streak will continue for the franchise.

The 2023-24 campaign will be the 27th consecutive season with a Sutter involved somewhere in the Flames organization.

Here’s a quick rundown of the family’s lengthy history with the Flames.

Brian Sutter

Brian was the Flames’ head coach from 1997-98 through 1999-2000. His contract wasn’t renewed after three seasons without a playoff appearance.

Shaun Sutter

Brian’s son, Shaun was drafted in 1998 following Brian’s first season behind the bench. He signed his entry-level deal in December 1999 and his contract ran from 2000-01 through 2002-03. He spent the first season as an overager in the WHL playing with the Calgary Hitmen, then spent the other two seasons bouncing between the AHL’s Saint John Flames and the ECHL’s Johnstown Chiefs. He didn’t receive a qualifying offer and left the organization as a free agent.

Ron Sutter

One of two Sutters to actually play for the Flames, Ron finished his playing career in 2000-01 as a member of the club. He retired and went right into pro scouting, and he served in that role from 2001-02 until 2009-10. He then moved into player development, where he worked from 2010-11 until 2020-21. When he departed the franchise in the 2021 off-season, he had been with the club for two decades.

Darryl Sutter

Sutter served as Flames head coach for three seasons between 2002-03 and 2005-06. He also served as general manager between 2003-04 and 2010-11. He returned to the franchise in 2020-21 as head coach, a post he served in until 2022-23.

Sutter led the Flames to a Stanley Cup Final in 2003-04 as head coach and GM, and traded his own son in 2010 (before resigning from his GM post just after Christmas). Speaking of…

Brett Sutter

Darryl’s son, Brett was drafted by the Flames in 2005. He signed his entry-level deal (which ran from 2007-08 through 2009-10) and then re-upped with the team. But he was traded to Carolina after getting into an incident outside a Phoenix bar early in the 2010-11 season.

He returned to the club on an AHL deal in 2022-23, serving as captain of the Wranglers.

Duane Sutter

Darryl hired his brother, Duane, as director of player personnel, a role he held from 2008-09 to 2010-11.

Brent Sutter

Darryl hired his brother, Brent, as head coach, a role he held from 2009-10 to 2011-12.

Every season dating back to Brian’s arrival in 1997-98 has featured at least one Sutter on the Flames payroll. The peak was five during the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons (Brent, Darryl, Ron, Duane and Brett).

What do you think of the Flames’ wacky Sutter streak? How many more seasons do you think Brett will help the Flames extend it for?