(New York Islanders/ Dennis DaSilva)

By Ian Gustafson

Legend immortalized

‘I’m proud that I wore that Islander jersey’: Brent Sutter reflects on historic Hall of Fame ceremony

Jan 23, 2025 | 12:42 PM

Local hockey legend Brent Sutter’s long legacy in the game of hockey has grown even larger after he was immortalized by the New York Islanders on Jan. 18.

Speaking a few days after becoming the 16th member to be inducted into the Islanders Hall of Fame, Sutter is full of gratitude.

That’s likely because the man who spends his days working behind the scenes improving the Red Deer Rebels was the centre of attention that night at New York’s UBS Arena.

In front of thousands of fans, former teammates, coaches, and his family, not only was he inducted into the Hall of Fame, but he and fellow Islanders legends were put into the organization’s new ‘Ring of Honor’ at a ceremony prior to the Islanders game against the Sharks.

“It was top notch, first class, and they did a great job,” Sutter told rdnewsNOW. “It was an awesome three days. The best way to put it is I didn’t expect it any other way.

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“With the ownership group there and Lou Lamoriello being their GM, it was first class and a lot of people behind the scenes put a lot of work into it.”

Sutter along with wife Connie, children Merrick, Brandon, and Brooke, and grandchildren, made their way to Long Island on Thursday.

They held a function Friday night honouring him before the induction ceremony on Saturday. The game itself involved a plaque unveiling on the concourse followed by an on-ice pre-game ceremony where Sutter gave a speech.

The experience brought back many memories for Brent and Connie who lived in New York for over 10 years.

“It became our home away from home when you play somewhere that long. We had two of our children there so we’re attached to Long Island and the Islanders, even when I got traded in 1991,” he said.

“They have a great alumni group and the guys who came back were awesome. It was great to see them again. I’m tremendously honoured, humbled, and grateful that it occurred and happened. I mean, how can you not be proud? It’s something for me that I never expected so it was certainly emotional.”

The product of Viking, Alberta was drafted 17th overall by the Islanders at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft and played 12 seasons for the organization.

Over that time he appeared in 694 games and won two Stanley Cups in 1982 and 1983. He was also named the fourth captain in franchise history and accumulated 610 points, which is, to this day, sixth all-time in Islanders history.

With his time in New York, Sutter became known as, “the ultimate two-way centre.” In a video posted to the Islanders social media, fellow legend Denis Potvin said his first impression of Sutter was that he played like Jean Beliveau.

“Because he really had it all in terms of a centreman,” Potvin added. “More importantly, it was the way he carried himself… He was never shy going into the corner, never shy going to where he had to be.”

Fellow Islanders Hall of Famer and former teammate, Patrick Flatley, said that as a linemate, he knew to get in front of the net when Sutter had the puck.

“If there was a battle along the boards, you knew he was going to win it. I’ve never played with anybody as intense as Brent Sutter.”

Sutter explained that he and his family couldn’t be more thankful to the Islanders for the special three days spent in New York.

“When you end up in Long Island at 19-years-old, it can be tremendously overwhelming and the people there certainly made it a lot easier,” the humble Sutter added.

“You just go out every day and do your job and that’s what I live by. You do it to the best of your ability and make yourself better at it. My career turned out to be what it was and there was a lot of hard work put into it. I can’t thank everybody enough.”