By Troy Gillard

BREAKING

Brent Sutter steps down as Red Deer Rebels head coach

Apr 10, 2021 | 12:58 PM

Red Deer Rebels Owner, President and General Manager Brent Sutter has announced he is stepping down as the team’s head coach.

Sutter announced the move Saturday in a statement, saying it’s time for a different voice for the team for the rest of the season and moving forward.

“After lots of thought and consideration of all the variables that go into being a head coach, at this time I feel this is the right thing for our organization,” Sutter said.

“Being involved in the game as long as I have both as a player and head coach, I’ve never looked at the game selfishly. The most important thing has always been what’s best for the Hockey Club.

“Since we were shut down over a year ago, it has been a very difficult and trying time for all of us, especially the players. In my heart I know this is the right thing to do, and is best for them at this point in time. They need a different voice for the rest of this season and moving forward.”

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Sutter was in his 17th season as Rebels head coach. In 1,024 regular season games he compiled a 526-384-114 record and in 152 WHL playoff games has a record of 80-73.

He celebrated his 500th win in March 2019 and coached his 1,000th game on Feb. 12, 2020, becoming only the 19th coach in the Canadian Hockey League to do so.

With Sutter behind the bench the Rebels won the WHL championship Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2001, also capturing the Memorial Cup Championship that year. The Rebels won the Eastern Conference Championship in 2001, 2002 and 2003.

Rebels Asst. GM Shaun Sutter will join assistant coaches Brad Flynn and Ryan Colville behind the bench for the remainder of this season starting tonight when they visit the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

The team suffered its seventh loss in a row Friday night, 6-3 to Hurricanes, and are 2-10-2 this season.

A search for a new head coach for the Red Deer Rebels will commence at the conclusion of the season.