NHL History: Calgary Flames name Brian Sutter head coach today in 1997

It was 23 years ago today that the Calgary Flames named Brian Sutter their eighth head coach in team history.

The first of two Sutter’s to coach the team, Brian didn’t have as much success as his brother Darryl did years later.

Brian’s stint behind the bench, like his brothers, only lasted three years as he posted an 87-117-37-5 record and Calgary missed out on the playoffs every year. He was eventually let go by the club in 2000 with Don Hay stepping in behind the bench.

Sutter had been let go in what were sweeping changes in the Flames organization. General Manager Al Coates, personnel director Nick Polano and assistant coach Rich Preston had been let go in April 2000, too.

He didn’t mince words upon his departure either, saying he never felt the team supported in making the team better.

“We had made a trade and had it turned down by people. It probably would have allowed our team to get into the playoffs. That’s how close we were,” said Sutter at the time. “I’ll tell you one thing, that trade wasn’t turned down by the hockey department. Every there had approved it.”

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