Darryl Sutter gives simple answer when asked why he agreed to coach Calgary again

As most hockey fans know, Darryl Sutter is in his second stint as head coach of the Calgary Flames. So far, it's working out beautifully. After coming in partway through last season following the firing of Geoff Ward, Sutter has completely turned the team around in 2021-22, with the Flames in the top spot in the Pacific Division with a big lead, and near the top of the Western Conference. So, why did he come back after being asked to leave in 2010 (Sutter was GM of the Flames at the time after serving as head coach for three seasons)? Sutter was asked that question Friday and, in his usual style, gave a simple, honest answer.

"'Cause I'm a Flames fan," he said.

"I'm in Alberta, I was watching lots of hockey and COVID," Stutter went on. "So, you know what, I didn't like the way they were playing."

Sutter then shrugged his shoulders as if to say all the pieces came together and the decision was a no-brainer.

In his first stint behind the bench with the Flames, Sutter did manage to get the team all the way to the finals in 2003-04, but lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning. His two Stanley Cups came with the LA Kings. Besides the Flames and Kings, he's also served as head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks, never missing the playoffs with either team, but failing to get further than the Conference Final.

The famous Sutter boys grew up in Viking, Alberta, which is actually closer to Edmonton than Calgary. Proximity to a team, of course, doesn't always dictate your loyalty. Sutter may be hard to take at times for some people, but his impact on the Flames this season is undeniable.

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