EVERETT — Now well into its second generation, a dozen members of the Sutter family have played in the Western Hockey League and nine have reached in the National Hockey League.
So it’s fair to consider the Sutters one of the first families of Canadian hockey.
The Everett Silvertips have one of their own in second-year forward Riley Sutter, who just turned 17 and isn’t even eligible for the NHL draft until 2018.
With so many Sutters involved in the sport it is inevitable that various family members will cross paths while members of different hockey clubs. That is the case tonight as Riley’s uncle Brent brings his Red Deer Rebels to Xfinity Arena for a 7:05 match-up against the Tips.
“I think it’s definitely going to be exciting for sure since I didn’t get the chance to play last year against him,” Riley said. “It’s going to be something to think about. You always want to beat your family.”
The Rebels and Silvertips only face one another once a year because the teams are in different conferences. Riley was injured during Everett’s trip to Red Deer last season and did not play in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Rebels.
“I think we both kind of follow each other closely, but not too much obviously because we’re both on separate teams,” Riley said. “But we’re family so we try to follow each other as closely as possible.”
Brent is the owner, coach and general manager of the Rebels, who played host to the Memorial Cup last spring. Red Deer finished second in the Central Division and reached the Eastern Conference Finals where it fell to eventual WHL champion Brandon.
Originally from Viking, Alberta, six of the seven first-generation Sutter brothers played in both the WHL and NHL. That includes Brent, the older brother of Riley’s father, Ron.
“I don’t think he’s too much different than (his brothers),” Riley said of Brent. “They’re all pretty similar. All the coaches that are Sutters are pretty hard at the rink, but away they’re nice guys.”
Five of Riley’s cousins have also played in the WHL with three making it to the NHL thus far.
“I don’t try to think about it too much,” Riley said, when asked about his famous family. “It’s definitely something people know, but I don’t try to think about it too much.”
This season Riley has 10 points including a team-high seven goals for the Silvertips who enter tonight’s game leading the U.S. Division with a mark of 11-2-2-0. Patrick Bajkov (five goals, 11 assists) is Everett’s top point producer with linemate Dominic Zwerger (four goals, 10 assists) right behind. Noah Juulsen (five goals, six assists) is next with Sutter and Graham Millar following with 10 points apiece.
The Rebels played at Victoria Tuesday. Prior to that game, Red Deer had an 8-5-1-1 record and was in second place in the Central Division. Michael Spacek (eight goals, nine assists), Josh Mahura (five goals, 10 assists) and Evan Polei (seven goals, seven assists) are Red Deer’s top offensive performers though three other players have 10 or more points.
Riley Lamb (7-3-1-0, .902 save percentage, 3.11 goals against average) has spent the most time in net. Former Silvertip Lasse Petersen has appeared in two games for the Rebels and has a 1-1 mark with a .905 save percentage and a 3.48 GAA.
The Tips conclude their four-game homestand Saturday when they take on Portland at 7:05.
For the latest Silvertips news follow Jesse Geleynse on Twitter.
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