June 24, 2009, Brent Sutter introduced as Calgary Flames head coach story from Metro NY Newspaper
Published 07:31, June the 29th, 2009
Sutter takes over Flames
PUBLISHED JUNE 24, 2009
NHL. The worst-kept secret in hockey was made public yesterday as the Calgary Flames officially named Brent Sutter the 13th head coach in franchise history.
Sutter stepped down as the Devils coach two weeks ago, citing family reasons and what he termed "business commitments," which is his ownership the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels. However, it had been expected that Sutter would join his brother, the Flames’ general manager, in Calgary after Mike Keenan was fired May 22.
In his two years with the Devils, Sutter compiled a 97-56-11 record in the regular season, but he never led the Devils out of the first round of the playoffs. There had been much speculation that Sutter had been unhappy because he was separated from his family, who had stayed in Red Deer. In taking the Flames head coaching position, Sutter will be able to have more time with his family, as Calgary is about 90 minutes south of Red Deer.
“It was for all the right reasons. Mr. Lamoriello was a tremendous man," Sutter said about his former boss. "The whole situation was very unique from the get-go."
The news of Sutter’s hiring comes on the same day that Lou Lamoriello was selected to the Hall of Fame in the Builder’s Category. Lamoriello joins players Brian Leetch, Brett Hull, Steve Yzerman, Luc Robitallie, former broadcaster and current St. Louis Blues GM John Davidson and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Penguins beat writer Dave Molinari in the class of 2009.
“The New Jersey Devils are a first class organization,” Sutter said. “A week later, things changed and I had to re-evaluate. It made a lot more sense and my family’s happy about it. Mr. Lamoriello has been very supportive about it.”
Flames GM Darryl Sutter said his team will not compensate the Devils for Brent, who had one year remaining on his contract. Darryl also said that he and Lamoriello first spoke on June 12, regarding Calgary obtaining permission to speak with Brent.
There have been charges of nepotism as there had been some qualified candidates for the position. Calgary Flames President and CEO Ken King dismissed the appearance of impropriety.
“When you talk to them together and separately, their stories hang together. We have not heard that same criticism. We’re good with that,” King said. He called the hiring “The most significant change in many years.”
Calgary also announced the hiring of assistant coaches Ryan McGill, Dave Lowry and Jamie McLennan.
“Quite honestly, what we were looking for was leadership, structure and detail," Darryl Sutter said. "We wanted out coaches to bring those attributes with them.”
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 10:32 AM
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