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Flames' Darryl Sutter wins first Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year

Calgary head coach Darryl Sutter has made a monumental impact behind the Flames bench since being hired just 15 months ago. (Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports)
Calgary head coach Darryl Sutter has made a monumental impact behind the Flames bench since being hired just 15 months ago. (Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports) (USA TODAY Sports)

It’s currently award season in the NHL, and on Thursday, Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter was named the 2021-22 Jack Adams Award winner as the league's Coach of the Year.

Sutter, 63, received 54 first-place votes, 22 for second place and 17 for third. This is the first time he’s won this prestigious award. He served as a finalist during the 2003-04 season, when he was also coaching the Flames.

Florida Panthers head coach Andrew Brunette finished as the runner-up, with Gerard Gallant of the New York Rangers placing third.

Brian Sutter, Darryl’s older brother, presented the award via video ahead of Avalanche-Oilers Game 2, where the two shared an emotional moment. Brian won the award himself in 1990-91.

"Thanks Brian. I am honoured to be informed by you of this award," explained Sutter. "Brian won the award in 1991. So that's a long time ago and I think back to when he won it and the great job he did, especially being a young NHL head coach and the pressures that we face. So I'm honoured to be told by Brian.

"I accept the Jack Adams Award on behalf of my family — my wife, Wanda, and son, Christopher."

The two-time Stanley Cup winner was hired by Calgary back in March 2021, following the firing of former coach Geoff Ward. Since then, he’s led them through a rapid transformation that resulted in a second-round berth during the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs after the Flames finished first in the Pacific Division with 50 wins and 111 points during the regular season.

Sutter has coached 1,397 career NHL games and carries a 699–503-94 record split between four different franchises — including the Flames (x2), Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks.

He’s set to return as Calgary’s head bench boss next season.

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