Brent Sutter to join Islanders Hall of Fame
Sutter will have his name unveiled on the newly made Ring of Honor inside the UBS Arena bowl, as well as his own plaque added to the Hall of Fame wall, displayed at the main entrance of the building.
Brent Sutter recalls the first day he joined the Islanders.
He was a rookie.
Many of his new players were already Stanley Cup champions on their way to building a dynasty.
And he threw up.
"All over the training room, so that wasn't a great start," he jokingly told reporters Friday after finding out he'd be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame.
"Obviously, I'm very, very honored. It's not something you think about or expect. When Lou Lamoriello called and told me, I don't know how to say it, I was pretty emotional through it all," said Sutter.
Sutter was drafted 17th overall by the Islanders at the 1980 NHL Entry Draft and played 12 seasons for the organization. Through 694 games, the center totaled 610 points (287 goals and 323 assists), which is sixth all-time in franchise history, and won the Stanley Cup in 1982 and 1983 with the Islanders.
"It wasn't about personal goals for me. It was about getting the most and best out of myself to help the team," explained Sutter, who also played seven seasons in Chicago.
But he said the Islanders made him the player he was and credited fellow Islander Hall of Famers, like Bryan Trottier, Butch Goring, Billy Smith and John Tonelli.
"To go there and have that group of players and (head coach) Al Arbour and (general manager) Bill Torrey, you learned quickly about how to be, not just a pro, but a good pro," said Sutter.
Sutter spoke glowingly of Arbour calling him tough and fair.
He even told the story about how Arbour would turn off the lights in the locker room and tell the players to lie down and visualize how good they could be.
Sutter said he still uses that technique as a junior hockey team he oversees.
Now the spotlight will be on Sutter and his Isles playing days again.
He'll be inducted on Jan.18.
Sutter will be honored before the game with his wife, Connie, and his children, Merrick, Brandon and Brooke for an on-ice ceremony, featuring a tribute video showcasing highlights of his career and appearances by former Islanders teammates and current Islanders Hall of Fame members.
Sutter will have his name unveiled on the newly made Ring of Honor inside the UBS Arena bowl, as well as his own plaque added to the Hall of Fame wall, displayed at the main entrance of the building.
