Hurricanes name new Captain

Press Release

Lethbridge, AB – The Lethbridge Hurricanes were proud to announce this afternoon that veteran forward Brody Sutter has been named the 21st Captain in Lethbridge Hurricanes history. Sutter follows former Captain Cam Braes who was dealt to Moose Jaw just before the trade deadline earlier this week.

Sutter currently leads the team in points (36) goals (17) and assists (19) and for the first time this year he was named an Alternate Captain with the team. Sutter began his WHL career in 2008-2009 as a member of the Saskatoon Blades, but a nerve injury in his shoulder, cost him several games at the start of the season. That year, Sutter came to Lethbridge near the WHL trade deadline in exchange for a 5th round pick in the Bantam Draft and played 30 games for the Canes registering 7 points. The following year, Sutter played all 72 games with 14 points. He followed that up with his best season with 42 points (18G, 24A) in 46 games and he’s set to break that mark easily this season. The Calgarian has already surpassed two milestones this season – 200 WHL games played (December 27th vs. the Kootenay Ice) and 100 points for his WHL career (January 6th vs. Medicine Hat)

The 20-year old draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes is the tenth player of the famed Sutter family to make his way through the WHL, and was considered a diamond-in-the-rough by Saskatoon when he was listed by the Blades in 2007. Brody is the son of former Lethbridge Bronco and NHL journeyman Duane Sutter and wears the number 19, the same number his father wore while playing junior hockey in Lethbridge.

Hurricanes Play-by-Play voice Pat Siedlecki spoke to Sutter after the team practiced today in Prince George and Sutter said "I'm very excited for the opportunity. I'm happy to be here and lead the young guys as these players have a bright future. I hope I can show them a few things as their Captain. This is a big honour. Rich told me the other day. I was very excited. Not everyone gets to be a Captain for a Western League team. I was a leader before, that's not going to change. Just like Cam Braes and Carter Bancks, I have to be a hard worker on and off the ice and I hope these guys follow suit."

Siedlecki also spoke to GM and Head Coach Rich Preston on his decision to name Sutter Captain. "Well, talk about a guy that's come leaps and bounds since I've been here. His improvement over the last three years and getting drafted by Carolina. He's put the work in and gotten a lot stronger. He's been to three different camps now. He's improved bigtime as a player and he's shown good leadership. That's importnant in junior hockey."

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)