Patrick Williams, TheAHL.com Features Writer
Various adages in life aim to ease the decision-making process. The circumstances for any of us can and will vary.
For one: Run toward something, rather than away from something.
Brett Sutter had one of those significant life – and career – decisions to make coming into this summer. As a free agent, he could pursue another contract and play an 18th professional season. Durability had always been one of Sutter’s best strengths. His 1,090 regular-season AHL games place him fourth all-time in league history. And certainly he still can play. Even in dealing with injuries this past season, he provided leadership and two-way reliability for the Calgary Wranglers.
Maybe he could scratch out another year.
“You’re wired one way for so long,” Sutter explained. “You know, you want to be a hockey player. You want to be in that locker room battling with the guys. For me, mentally, I was probably of the mindset that I can play forever.”
Still, the body does not heal as quickly as a 17-year pro. The wear and tear had really started to add up for Sutter, whose grinding, physical style defined so much of his career. Sutter began to take those aches, pains, and injuries as a sign.
“It was maybe time to move on.”
Calgary is home for the 37-year-old Sutter, who comes from one of hockey’s most storied families. The family farm sits about four hours away. He was selected by the Flames in the 2005 NHL Draft, and played his first three seasons in Calgary’s system before returning in 2022 with the Wranglers. Eighteen of his 60 career NHL games came in Flames colors.
When a vacancy opened on the Wranglers’ coaching staff for the coming season, Sutter saw an opportunity he could run toward in seeking his next challenge.
On July 15, Sutter officially retired and joined Trent Cull’s staff as an assistant coach. Having something line up so ideally is rare in any industry, but this was a great fit for both sides. Sutter could make a significant life change while not having to upend his family’s life. And for the Flames, they added someone who captained AHL teams for 10 seasons and captured the Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award in 2018-19 as the AHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and dedication to hockey.
“You’ll miss it all,” Sutter said of the transition away from playing. “You’re going to miss all the fun stuff, the good times, laughing after wins, playing…
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