A Wisconsin product, Suter played his youth hockey at Culver Military Academy in Indiana and then a season and change with the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. (And this was way before the USHL was considered a proving ground for eventual NHL talent.) He played the 1983-84 season in college at the University of Wisconsin, but wasn’t a highly-regarded prospect, as he was more of a secondary weapon – he finished 10th on the Badgers in points.

However, the Flames had some inkling that Suter could grow into something interesting, so they went as far as to scout Wisconsin practices to get more expanded looks at Suter’s skillset. They opted to roll the dice on the college freshman, a rarity at that point, selecting him in the ninth round of the 1984 NHL Draft. Suter returned to Wisconsin the following season and more than doubled his freshman offensive output.

Suter went pro in 1985-86, jumping right to the NHL full-time and emerging as a really strong offensive talent, perhaps second only to Al MacInnis on the Flames in that regard. Suter won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 1985-86, but he was limited to just 10 playoff appearances that year, as he was injured in the second round against Edmonton.

Suter went on to play nearly nine seasons with the Flames. He was a consistently very good, occasionally great, offensive blueliner, and while he was seemingly overshadowed by being on MacInnis’ team at times he was still recognized by the league’s writers often for his talents. He received Norris Trophy votes in three different seasons, and even received Hart Trophy votes and a Second All-Star Team nod in 1987-88 as he erupted for 21 goals and 91 points. That was the single best offensive season by a Flames blueliner ever… until it was eclipsed by MacInnis’ 103-point effort in 1990-91.

Suter was a part of the two Presidents’ Trophy-winning Flames teams in 1987-88 and 1988-89. He was on the roster for the 1989 Stanley Cup winner, but he was hurt in the first round against Vancouver and missed the remainder of the playoffs. (Yes, it’s a bit frustrating to see someone of Suter’s prominence and talent end up missing both of the Flames’ trips to the Cup Final while he was on the team, but hockey’s cruel like that sometimes.)

As the Flames continued into the 1990s and Suter got a bit older, he had some nagging injuries and – as became tradition – the Flames opted to trade him for some younger, less expensive players. In Suter’s case, he was part of a six-player trade with the Hartford Whalers at the 1994 trade deadline, moving with Ted Drury and Paul Ranheim to the Whale in exchange for Michael Nylander, James Patrick and Zarley Zalapski.

Overall, Suter was one of the big home runs the Flames hit in the later rounds of the NHL Draft by Cliff Fletcher taking chances on players from sources nobody else was looking at – in his case, American college hockey. He ended up playing 617 games for the Flames and posting 564 points during his run. He’s one of the better value picks in the fantastic Flames 1984 draft class.

This article is brought to you by the Alberta Teachers Association

Alberta spends the least per student on public education in Canada, leaving schools underfunded and in crisis. Overcrowded classrooms, unmet student needs, and dwindling supports are driving record numbers of teachers to leave the profession. As Albertans, we cannot ignore this neglect. Our children deserve better. It’s time to act—advocate for increased funding and demand answers from your MLA. Why does Alberta invest the least in its students? The excuses must stop. Stand up for our schools, support our educators, and help ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. The future of education in Alberta depends on it. Visit www.stoptheexcuses.ca

Editorials

Recent articles from Ryan Pike

Instant Reaction: Flames devoured by Predators in road trip finale

Flames Game Day 28: Closing out the road trip in Nashville (6pm MT, SNW)

Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman have become important mentors for young Flames

This article is brought to you by the Alberta Teachers Association

Recent articles from Ryan Pike

Breaking News