Los Angeles Kings’ Coach Darryl Sutter: Happy Birthday!
Today our favorite NHL Head Coach Darryl Sutter celebrates his 57th birthday.
Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter talks during a press conference after the Los Angeles Kings defeated the New York Rangers in second overtime during game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Born on August 19, 1958 in Viking, Alberta, his official Los Angeles Kings biography states, “Sutter is in his fourth season as Head Coach and his third full season after being hired on December 20, 2011.”
Since he joined the Los Angeles organization, he has guided the team to two Stanley Cup championships in 2012 and 2014. He also led the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2013.
Jun 16, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter during a rally to celebrate winning the 2014 Stanley Cup at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The on-ice success shown by the Los Angeles Kings since Sutter joined the team is proof that he indeed was the coach we needed to get out of our dry spell. However, that is not to say that just because the Los Angeles Kings already have two Stanley Cup championships under his belt that the team no longer needs him.
Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter celebrates after defeating the New York Rangers in second overtime during game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
It cannot be denied that Sutter is a great coach.
Sure his post-game conferences seem to be the same after every game, but he is not afraid to acknowledge when the Kings did not play their best and what they can do to improve.
Shouldn’t every coach want to see his team come up from a loss?
Of course fans and the rest of the world do not know what he is like once he’s inside the locker room with the guys. But we do know that they are all professional in their business relationships and know how to work together to achieve success on the ice.
Apr 7, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter is seen on the out on the players bench as they took on the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports
Before making the move to Los Angeles, Sutter already had a lot of coaching and playing experience as described by HockeyDB.com:
Apr 9, 2015; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter on his bench against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
-From 1987-88, Sutter served as assistant coach to the Chicago Blackhawks.
-He spent the next two seasons in the IHL as head coach for the Saginaw Hawks followed by the Indianapolis Ice.
-He returned to the NHL as associate coach for the Chicago Blackhawks from 1990-92 before becoming the head coach from 1992-95.
-He served as head coach for the San Jose Sharks from 1997-2003.
-He then replaced the head coach at the Calgary Flames during the 2002-03 season and remained there until 2006. His biography with the Los Angeles Kings points out that while with the Flames, “Sutter held dual roles as Head Coach and General Manger from 2003-06.”
-It is with the Los Angeles Kings that Sutter led his first NHL team to a Stanley Cup victory despite being thrown into the organization mid-season.
An NHL left wing, Sutter’s Los Angeles Kings biography states:
"Sutter played in 406 career games (all with the Blackhawks), recording 279 points (161-118=279) and 288 penalty minutes. He scored 20-plus goals in five of his eight NHL seasons, including a career-high 40 goals in 1980-81. Sutter, who served as Chicago’s team captain from 1982-85 and again from 1986-87, also had 43 points (24-19=43) in 51 playoff games."
There is no doubt about it: Sutter knows how to win. Hopefully the Kings got enough rest since they did not play in the 2014-15 post-season and will come back stronger than before in the 2015-16 season so we can see Sutter lead this team to its third Stanley Cup championship.
Happy birthday, Coach! Enjoy it all you can and we’ll be seeing you in October!
Jun 13, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings head coach Darryl Sutter hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating the New York Rangers game five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports