Barn Burner: Boomer & Pinder with Rhett Warrener - Darryl Sutter (FULL INTERVIEW)

Episode Date: September 17, 2026

Boomer, Pinder and Rhett are joined by legendary NHL coach Darryl Sutter for a wide-ranging conversation about his life in hockey and what comes next. Darryl talks about his upcoming book, how much the NHL has changed over the years and what he learned from being both a coach and general manager. The guys look back on some incredible stories from his career, including Miikka Kiprusoff, the hardest deal he ever had to make, Dion Phaneuf not playing during the Flames’ 2004 Stanley Cup run and, of course, Chris Sutter. Darryl also reflects on his championship years in Los Angeles, the 2004 Flames, Calgary’s 2022 team and what he sees in the organization today. Plus, is Darryl really finished coaching for good? And somehow, the conversation ends with the story of Sutter getting locked out of the room.Video Link: https://youtu.be/Wb7Y6dHR_Ao#nhl #nhlshorts #nhlplayoffs #nhlpredictions #nhlhockey #nhlpicks #stanleycup #stanleycupfinal #calgaryflamesCHECK OUT OUR STUFF ⬇️BARN BURNER MERCHhttps://nationgear.ca/collections/shirts/FlamesnationBARN BURNER SHORTShttps://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj_bcGtvvo-cW2DHEDZ6dEO5ePDmlhZc9&si=jo8iNGxT4ImhS2Y8📲 Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fnbarnburner/X (Twitter): https://x.com/barnburnerfn?lang=en🎧 Listen on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/barn-burner-boomer-pinder-with-rhett-warrener/id1648562889Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Mc6Qd5U22R2zbMlQ7RxIiProducer: Jack Haverstock Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This man, I've maybe given it away already. I've said it's a man. Well, wills the field down a fair amount, doesn't it? He's a farmer. He's a rancher.

He's a father. He's a husband. He was a rustler and a Bronco. He was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks, was named captain of the hawks at 24 years of age, scored two goals in overtime. in one playoff series. Oh, I like that.

Has won the Stanley Cup twice. Jack Adams once. 10th, all time in coaching wins. 13th in games coached. And is now on top of all of that, an author. Oter. What have you done, Jack?

What have you done in your life? Really makes it, yeah. You had a blackjack once. There's only one of these guys in the world. He is our good buddy, Darrell Sutter. As we go to the ranch, there is. Can you guys hear me? We got you.

We can hear you great. So just so you know, I'm glad you said here with you because the first 30 seconds sounded like either a eulogy or like a celebration of life. Yeah, we're not dead yet. I meant me. Well, I know, I know. Geez, there looks like the sun's out. You got blue skies. What a day.

Life's good. Yeah, it's beautiful today. There, too. Yep. Are they getting the crops off up there then? They started last night. First, stuff got dry enough. They started on barley here last night.

So this is a coffee break just so, you know, I told the boss, I got to take a coffee break. Yeah, that's right. At 10.30. And who's, Chris, is that the? boss right no Chris on a field trip with the grade six is today they're running running a I don't know cross-country race in Bashaw Alberta so he's coaching today good for him good for him I was emailing with Darrell to set things up and he's

like yeah we're sitting here I'm just watching the Blue Jays with Chris and not happy it's not good times it's an up and been up and down fly thing in our house for two months now like Frigg, you've got to take hours off to watch Blue Jizzas. He said, okay, well, watch the first inning, the third inning, and the ninth. Yeah. Is he holding out hope? Is he? Oh, yeah.

He just, he questioned, he's in on every move. Who should play, who should bat, whether he, whether they should say it's a striker ball or oh, man. How heartbreaking was last year for him then? I mean, there was a lot of us that was heartbreaking. Yeah, I think for him, though, being National League, American League, and living in L.A., becoming a Dodgers fan, and then in Canada being Blue Jays fan.

So I think he had the best of both for them. So either way, whatever he was betting on, he was winning. Just kind of going through stuff, and obviously you're coming on because you've written a book. You're one of the last guys I thought that would be writing a book, because, I mean, we've known each other for a long time. see you at the rink and the technique with darrell was you don't talk hockey to darrell darrell does not want to talk hockey he's got enough hockey in his life let's talk about farming

or horses or chuck wagons or how are we going to how are we going to soften darrell up to have a conversation so if you started with the chucks or something darrell might come in and sit down on the couch there for a bit in the hot stove lounge and as soon as it turned to hockey get up and leave and be like oh shit you ruined it so uh it never seemed like something that you were overly hungry to do. How did you get to sitting down and doing a book? You know, quite honest, my brothers and I did one years ago when we were all playing. Actually, I was in Chicago, but then later on in San Jose, the mayor's daughter, we did a book together there. She was doing it as a university project. And then about a year

ago, the publishers from Toronto contacted me just about possibility of doing it and then going through who could help you with, things like that. And it's not easy to do. You know, it takes a year or so. But actually, in the end, I really enjoyed doing it. It's a good story, I think. I think it's not just a hockey story. It's sort of the lessons of the 45 years I was involved in the NHL.

And then I think there's some advice center too that it'll carry the book. So, you know, in the end, it's fun. It'll, there's a lot of work and a lot of time, not just what you think. It's not writing a book. It's, you know, you're doing a lot via what we're doing today. and then sitting down, Justin Borton, you know, and spent time out here with me and a lot of back and forth. And then a lot of the editing part and then the audio part.

That would have been fun. Hey, Redda had to read it. I was going to say, the only thing I want is that I could get in my truck and listen to the audible and Daryl's Reddit. And they even said that nobody else could read it other than me because I had such a unique way of. saying things. Yes.

So anyways, it was, it's all, it was all fun. It comes out, I think there's like October 13th, something like that. Here it is. There it is. Darrell Sutter, the Coat of the West. The farm and the rink. There's, it's, it is from the brothers, your childhood, your run through, I mean, you go to Chicago, the injuries, then you turn coaching,

one of the most successful coaches of all time and all of that. family and hockey in the farm there's only one I kind of said that only one Daryl Sutter I'm glad you enjoyed it I don't know that everybody enjoys the book process because it can be like you say it takes a long time

I've always struck me as a guy that like your memory is is amazing there'd be times you'd come in as well I well Guy Lafleur I played in this game with Gie and I get this it's like Jesus Christ this guy's got

you got a steel trap up there. You know, it's one of the few good qualities that I have. I can still, I can still gather and keep all that information. Did you have to reach out? My big, my big thing the last two weeks. So in retro, this is on you, buddy. So me and Chris went to the rebels training camp.

And then meanwhile, I was going through all the other rosters. And there's, there's a Warner, there's a regear. So pretty cool, actually, like, fake. So then we got following the boys and then, and then Luke. And so anyways, I just want to tell you, I'm proud of, proud of him. Yeah, there's actually lots of kids nowadays that are making their way through the junior ranks. It's that, I guess that's the era. It's unbelievable.

We even seeing Jerome's on at the prospect thing is pretty cool. So it's, you know, just tells you, time march is on, right? That DNA is strong, though, that dress. dressing room, whatever happens, the dressing room carries through to them, to them boys and girls, that's for sure. Tell us about working with Justin, because I imagine you would have crossed paths with this old man back in the day, part of that Islander's dynasty that, you know, you had some brothers on. What was it like working with Justin? He told me he even brought, what, his kids over to the ranch over the last summer? Yeah, it was pretty cool.

He brought his son out, you know, when they live in Toronto. So that was, like, wide open for his son to see all this. And it was really cool. And obviously, the borns were from Kendersley, Saskatchew. So even though Justin, he would go there in the summers, but his dad was raised on grain wheat farms. And then Brent and Dwayne both played. Dog was on all four cups with Bobby Warren and his father.

So it was pretty easy to get through it pretty easy. Enjoyed it. That was one of the most enjoyable parts was just rehashing all of those old stories. Yeah. You know, I can't wait to read. and I know a lot of people that are watching and listening right now will be in that same vein because there's so many things.

There's growing up on the farm and the brothers and all that. And I remember talking with, you know, talking with Brian or even with you, how if it was, play each other and go tooth and nail, or if you played in the playoffs in the handshake line, because I think you beat Brian in your first playoff with Chicago against St. Lewis,

something like that. And you'd be in the handshake line. Say hi to mom and dad. Have fun at the fun. farm because you knew they were going home and being put straight to work. Yeah, all dad said the first one beat out. You guys get the hell home and get on because I'm seating. First one out.

No word of a lie. That was true. So everyone of you guys get home. What's changed more, farming or hockey? What's part in? What's changed more over you? It's 45 years that you're in the game. I think both, both big time.

You think about all the, now everything here's GPS and big, equipment and millions, you know, what it's worth and what your costs are. It's crazy. It's just like almost like player salaries all the costs that we have now here. But the game, I love watching, I love watching all these kids. It's my best part of watching the NHL now is the young guys. Just how good they are coming in and how ready they are. It used to be, those taught guys were, you know, two, three years away.

And now these kids are, you know, your first round is stepping in and making a big, impact. So that's, I think, you know, along with the rules and you can say speed, whatever you want to say, but more teams and we used to think when there's more teams that kind of knock the talent level of the league down, but I'd say in the last two or three years, it's actually the way it's going has brought it up. That's testament to the development and the money that teams are putting into the development part of these players.

And parents, parents are throwing a few bucks into that development too. Well, yeah, I like the freaking, even Brett talked about kids playing and daughters and son playing in Chicago, what it costs to play hockey. It's like crazy. Like, how do you? I don't even know how parents do it. Yeah, that's not great. I got Pinders in here. He's got two ones a goal.

Ret's got three on the go. But they make, they got all, especially Warner. He's got so much money. Well, thanks to Daryl. That's very kind. Yeah, he's sharing. Wrette would tell us about the negotiation how, walk us through. How did that, negotiating with Daryl?

it was the best negotiation ever. I walked in and there was two scenarios. There's a three-year deal or a four-year deal. He said, you can have either one of those. Call your, here's the phone. Let me know. I should have skipped the agent. I shouldn't have made the phone call.

He should have saved the 3% and said, I'll take that one. You know what, Rhett, though, Pat Morris was, right? Was your, Ralph? Yeah. He was an awesome guy. Like, even later on, I'd tell young guys that were having trouble doing things. I'd say, geez, just get old to Pat Morris, because you'll understand it, see it really clearly,

and they'll work something out for you. So that was, was that your last contract, Rhett? Yeah, that was the end of it, that was it, yeah. Because I can remember yours, and then I think it was Robbins, too. I remember doing that one, and just how you were trying to slot it into the league and slot it into a 30,

our payroll probably was budget for salaries with Murray, then it was probably 33, 34 million, something like that. And he had to come in under it. Otherwise, somebody had to go out. And you was trying to win, too. So it was always a bouncing ball. 30. 30.

I think that year we went to the finals, Rhett, we had just under 35 million. And we beat Detroit. And they were like 75 million. Wow. And for, you know, just the way it works. right you could whatever the owners wanted in their budget that's what it was yeah did you enjoy the gm part obviously coaching's in your blood did you enjoy that part you know what i you know when i took that job you guys it was the flames were not in a great position in terms of what what was going on

finance wise with their team and basically it was became almost a two for one cover where it was a GM and coach for whatever it was, one or two years, and then hopefully the team was going back in the right direction. And then we could do some, make some more moves in terms of the management part. So at the time I did it, and I've always said, and I think I said in the book, too, that if I had a choice again, I would have coach just stayed as a head coach for another year or two. And then, because that was, because the last year with GM, and coach was the you ever went to the finals. Next year was lockout where we lost all the players.

And then the next year we had a, I even thought a better team and won the division and lost in the first round, I think Anaheim. So like I even thought that was a better team, but I should have, I always felt, or I still feel I should have coached through that and then,

and then transitioned into it. But you know what? You did what you had to do and you had a budget and we had a good hockey club. So that mattered. Red always talks about that lockout year and how much that hurt the club. How did you see that year? Because you rolled off a year of contract. Some guys all of a sudden were free agents that you had locked in.

Do you look back and sort of think, what if about that lockout year? Yeah, for sure. I mean, I just saw the top of my mind and I don't recall the players good enough that we lost. But I know something like Big Si never got a contract back. And there were several guys like that. And they were really important players on our team the way we're, you know, because we didn't have the star power other than, then Jerome and Kipper.

And then if Rhett decided on what day, he was going to be the first star, then. Rare. They were rare. It's the choice, Rhett. But our team was about roles and awesome, you know, the character of our team. That's what it was about. And that lockout sort of, we took a little step back.

And then we had to crush, nail it again in terms of getting back. and that was the hard part. I know what Red has always said, and he kind of talking, you know, kind of referencing when you left to go and just be the GM and then Playfair takes over and that, that no,

and other guys have said it too, Robin and guys like that, no one has a better read on the room than you. That when you went to GM and you just weren't around the team as much, what was it that you look for? What kind of a feel or can you describe it when you know that the mix is right or when the mix is off.

Yeah, you know what, and that's the other part, and it's no different than, you know, some of the guys who write stories and all that. You watch the game from up in the air. You don't see it as good as you can see system and mistakes, and some of you goes fast, something like that, but you don't really get a really good feel for the team. And the best way you can get a feel for the team is to be

under the stairs or close to the locker room We're going into the locker room, and that's what those winning teams have is that tremendous locker room deal. I mean, all you do is take past champions and just go through it and see all. It doesn't mean they're all best friends or brothers, but after they sing the song, guys are playing for each other. Yeah. Does that, is that something that, like, can you make it happen, or does it just have to? because I'm guessing there's other times where you think, I think I've got a good mix here.

I'll tell you, I know what you're going to say, but I'm going to tell you a really good story that just kind of sums that all up. And two guys that I coached that could handle it really well like that. One was Brian Marshman, had him in Chicago, San Jose and Calgary, and the other was Rat. And they always, and those are two guys that jump out at me right away, even though the cup guys in the L.A. were, you know, most of them were all awesome like that.

But they got a handle on it before you did. And once you knew they had it, then it was their room again, right? There's always times where the, where as a head coach that felt, I had to take the room away, which usually meant being a bad guy or a hard ass, and then give it back to them and let, let the leaders have it. But there was times where I just, where you just knew that those guys could, they got it, they got, gives me shivers even talking about it, because even you could walk off the bench and you might have something in your mind.

And you knew those guys handled it and dealt with it. And that's what a good team is about. Did you know Kipper was that good? I remember when I, I remember being in, I remember being in the gym because that's where I lived, you know, I was in the gym and you walked in, and we said we traded and needed a goalie and knew that. I'm like, Kippers off.

I'm like, I don't know who the hell you're talking about, but sure, did you know what you were getting? I think, that's that. Yeah, lots of times. But I think first off in that, we were really looking right from day one. for that because I felt that we were right there, but we needed that that goalie that could take us

to the next level. And obviously, I was familiar with Kipper in San Jose. If you look out, they had Nabokov and Kippur is there. And actually, Hedberg was there. And Toskra, but Hedberg was there also. And Kippur was sort of the young, the guy that hadn't been over, he hadn't been in America enough to go ahead of those guys. and you just sensed it always when you were preseasoned

and when he'd come up and play a few games, things like that, you always sense that, man, this guy's, he's got it, like just give him the opportunity and let him run with it and see what happens. And so that was the impetus of that. Did I know that was what Kippler was? You know, I don't think anybody could say that honestly, but he's a pretty good player.

Yeah, he's pretty good player. What was the hardest deal that you ever had to do from a personal standpoint, From a gym, you got to make and move, but what was the hardest one to see a guy leave? Good question. In Calgary? Sure. That's a good one.

Maybe Dion, just because, you know, it played with Brent. We dropped, took him in that national draft and that first round was crazy. I think he was the third defenseman taken. And then he'd signed the big contract with us. And we'd sort of in tandem with Philadelphia at that time was signing Mike Richards, and we were sort of working with them on it. And they signed Mike, and then we signed Dionne.

And then there was some, I don't know what you want to call it, but where maybe we had to move Dion situation. So that was a hard one. What the hell was the holdup in the playoffs? we were beat up was it not we couldn't get him in i i still say we he would have helped us win that stanley cup against tampa bay i wasn't part of the negotiations or any of it but was it was it just i can't remember was he was he not signed you guys no he wasn't signed he had his first he'd gone back and played yeah junior that would that would have to have something

do it something to do with that entry level then in terms of losing i can't remember losing a year I don't know. That's what it would have been. It would have probably burnt a year. Or salary in the goal. I can't remember you guys. Yeah. The other thing too is you missed the whole next year.

She goes back to you. You're seeing when you do see him, you're like, geez, you looked ready, but it might not have been the case, you know, a year and a half prior, right? Yeah. You, your relationship with Chris,

I mean, we love it. Everybody loves Chris. You've included him in so many things. I was going through photos this morning. it all-star games and Stanley Cup parades and ball games and stuff. I mean, everybody loves Chris wherever he goes. You know, he's on the jumbo tron. He's behind the bench and helping out.

He's in the locker room. There's just, there's something special. And I know that you had just kind of gotten into the, you were doing your young coach at the time. Yep. And you left to go back home and to be with Chris and to be with the family. I think it speaks to your upbringing, your family values, and everything. But I guess just the relationship with Chris that you've had with him over the years,

obviously with Brett and the family, but also everywhere he goes that people love him. You know what? I think it was meant to be when Chris was born and the challenges we went through and our decision to come back and raise him here for two years. And then be able to go to San Jose and then to LA, California. We did so much research to find out where, you know, California then was we thought the best place in America for kids with Downs. And we thought Calgary, Canada was the best place in Canada for Christopher with Downs and both.

And we were dead on, on it's one. And so we just said when Chris is born that it doesn't matter, Chris still does everything with us. everything. And we always said it becomes three, wherever we go on a trip, we go do something. It's always Chris, you want to go or we're going. Like, it's always three wanting me and Chris said, we go together. And that's, that's part of the deal. And that's why he's fit in everywhere because he's a social guy in ways and every, you know, as you said, everybody loves

him. He does. He loves sports. He loves visiting, you know, so it's, so it's pretty cool for him. Yeah. And the best most emotional speaker ever. His pregame speeches are second to us. He had some written ones too. We beat Chicago in the conference finals to win the cup in whatever year. It was 14 maybe. Yeah.

And we were going back to Chicago for a game. Seven. It was one of the best series of hockey you'll ever watch. You go watch L.A. Chicago in the semifinals. It was unbelievable hockey. I told Joel after that series, it was the best one I coached in just because it was, it was, you you think both teams are, you know, they're very structured defensively and all that, but it was high scoring and, you know, like big goals and it was an awesome series. But anyways, going

back to Chicago for Game 7, you know when the players are tired of listening to you. So before we traveled that last day, Chris went in the locker room and had a meeting with the players and he'd written it down, so he wrote it on the board and I wish I'd taken a picture of it. He had three or four things that he thought that we had to do in Chicago to beat the Blackhawks. I still remember one was, who's their goalie then? Run. You Crawford or Rand? Yeah, that was number one.

He had number one, run Crawford. Number two was, number two was Speer Taze. And number three was hit Keith in the, you know what. So anyways, and the players all laughed and freaking, okay, let's go to the airplane. We go to Chicago. And we got it done. We're in overtime. Yeah.

Oh, man. Those teams that you had in L.A. Because the first one, you come in part way through and you finish is an 8th seed, and then you beat the 1 scene, the 2 seed, the 3 seed, and you guys just, you were the first 8th seed. It was like, I've never talked to you about it. But when you went into that room in L.A., what was your, I mean, what was your read on that team? Was they needed a kick in the ass? where they, because clearly you get there

and the town starts to shine and they start to play better and you go on to win a cup. But what was, what was, was there one or two things you felt you had to do when you went into L.A.? Actually, you know what? That was a really good hockey club. So I know I went in there and you get lots of credit for it. That was a really good

hockey club. Dean Lombardi, who was the general manager at the time, came and stayed at the farm for a few days prior to me taking the job. And he'd and we watched, like, I watched probably 10 games. And And I still remember the last time I watched live, they got beat like 8-2 or something. They were in, I think, in Buffalo. And I remember, and I was going, you know, because Terry Murray was the coach.

I thought he was a really good coach. And they were, you know, doing a lot of really good things. But the big problem they had is they never had the puck. Like they were so good in their own zone, but their whole thing was dump it out, dump it in. And so then the other team had the puck all the time, and they were always defending. And we just made it, okay, we're going to keep. the puck. Like that, that was the whole thing was puck possession. And then other that came out of Linux. We started our own analytic program with the three things. And it's

dead on. It was zone time, puck possession, shot volume. And those three, you want to win the, you want to win the cup? You want to win games? Just frigging be in the 60s and that. And you're, and you're moving. So those are the big things. And then on top of me going in there was Dean made the trade for Jeff Carter. And we called up Dwight King and Jordan Nolan and we became like a big fast team almost like overnight. Like that was everybody was so as we were a big tough team. Well, they were a fast team and it was built on the goalie, the defenseman and the centerman.

And that still should be the premise of how you win a championship. Your goal, your defenseman, and your centerment. And then you work out from there. And we had trouble scoring even when we won the cup in 14. We traded for Gabby, Marion Gabrik, because we need, we. We knew we needed some scoring to win the championship again. So it just tells you how it all, what did I think of that locker room? It was awesome.

There was more captains in that room than all the NHL teams put together. Like, incredible the way they could take charge of everything. And once they understood what I want to do and just let them go. And quite honestly, the only guys I knew in that room were I'd known them a little bit through the orders was Matt Green, Jared Stoll, and then Colin Fraser, who'd played for, um, who'd played for, um, and then. Brent and Red Deer. So those were the only guys I knew going in there. Yeah, those teams, you just chewed, you chewed up teams and spit them out. There was that, like you say, that, that whatever four-year stretch, where you win,

then you lose to Chicago, then you win again, the Hawks and Kings, those were just heavyweight tilts every time. Yeah, we believed we should have won four cups. Like, we believed it strongly. Like, in year four after we won the cup, we didn't make the playoffs with 90, whether it was 98 or whatever was points. you know, we had more guys have surgeries that going into that year and guys not, you know, they say they're ready and guys played.

And I'm we were telling them that after that last game we played that I was more proud of them that year than when we won the cup. Yeah. Through the last few years, just for everything they did that year to try and you could just see they left it all there. And then here you think about what could have been in so many ways, whatever it was 20, two. You guys have 50 wins. You win the division.

Johnny gets the OT goal against the stars. And then you run into McDavid in round two. You think about where the team is now and where it's been since. 22 doesn't feel like it was that long ago. Yeah, I think. You've got to look at the numbers. Yeah, I just think that, you know, that was still a really good year for the flames.

I think that, you know, we beat Dallas out, Johnny scoring the OT goal. And then against, against the others, correct? Yeah. Chris Tannock gets hurt against Dallas, so you don't have to, you don't have to out there against, Kent Seventon's big boys. And then Z played with, they had broken ribs. So I guarantee that, and then we, like, I could go on and on about that, but that team was,

was a special team and they were close. Like, they were, they were probably one centerman away from going all the way if we could stay healthy. Is there anything we could have done in 03, 04, different? Well, we're as close as we could get, but. Yeah, here's the thing I always go back to on it, Rhett, is, okay, the Stanley Cup final. The score after seven games, I think, was 12, 10. Like, seven games, like you look at it.

Like, it's frigging crazy. So what could you do different? Think of the overtime games, one-nothing games, two-one games, even game seven. two one. Like you think all this is one shot and you know and both Kipper and Abby Bluin were awesome. You know, they both teams block shot

crazy block shots, things like that, but it was just one goal like he played he played seven games and you like I think it's at that time I think it was the lowest scoring ever series and maybe it's second or third now. Lowest scoring Stanley Cup seven game final ever.

Will you coach again? No. I had enough. 45 years. I could ask that lots or teams say if you're interested. And I said, Frigg, I don't know if I lost to practice.

Brick, I had to stand by Kopey the last two years in L.A. because no and nobody had to touchment practice. I just go stand by you. Because I don't, you know, Red kind of threw it out there. Some guys have talked about it.

Does the Edmonton Oilers have two of the best. players in the world and it just seems like it's systems and its little things. Yeah, if I could go, okay, the best way to sum that up, if I could just coach home games and playoff games, I'm in. I like road trips. Yeah, that's perfect. Tandum, guys. Yeah, well, we did, yeah, we had some trips road.

We even had road trips in the truck. You mean, Ronnie. Yeah. I'm up for those anytime, so. Yeah, I know. That's cool. Do you have a... Hey, I love the game and I love the game, but that's a long time.

And physically you got... Mentzac, it's... Like, I still have trouble watching NHL games because that switch goes on too easily doing games. You should do this, should do, you know, like that sort of thing. But physically, you've got to be able to do it too. And, you know, you've got to be fresh and ready to roll all the time. And I just don't know if I can be there. Do people know how wound up you get or how into games you get?

Because when we see... on TV or we watch the games, you seem like you're just kind of, hey, there's just a walk in the park. But there's a fire that those that are around you know that you have, that there's a real intensity that you have. Is that part of why it's? I think it's something I've learned about myself now, not coaching is, you know, I always said game day was game day.

And that's true. Like, that was it. Like, you get ready for the game and you play the game and you leave it all out there. And then you go home in night. and then start again. But, uh, so that's, that's how I always looked at it. And you know, and you have so little practice time now that I still believe, you know, these guys should be practicing 40, 40, 45 minutes and make sure you're doing it right

and get the all out of there and take care of yourself things, you know, all those old school things, but they hold so true when you look at it. So, um, was that intensity or was that just, was that just caring about, caring about the team or caring about what your fans saw it, that sort of thing, I don't know. Did those bastards lock you out of the room in L.A.? That's, you know, again, that was when, I think it was after we won a cup.

And that's when they were doing, they'd make them friggin movies about your team. Yes, right. Like they were experts thinking that they knew why you want it, so that's, They were filming your speeches and all that stuff. So I think that had a lot to do with. I think we lost in temp,

and they probably knew it was coming, so the players just said, just friggin' lock the door. You better get back in that combine. Yeah, well, it's just the, she was, gets damp overnight, so it'd just be dry again. And, and actually, we're going to, Rebel season open on Saturday night,

and then hopefully it's hoping to catch Wranglers opener. They play, it was second and third, I think, Friday, Saturday. I think the flames open, and then the one night, and then the Wranglers the next night. So that's kind of our plan. Are you invested in these Wranglers with Brett behind the bench? That's awesome for him. Yeah, we watched, you know, we went quite a few games last year,

one, and Chris went to more than me, but went to quite a few games, and it was a real hard year. just because the number of call-ups and, you know, their roster changed just about daily. So hopefully this year can be a little more settled. I think they'll have a good young club, and they, you know, they got some real quality veterans and I think they have a really good coaching staff.

Yeah. All right, Sutz, thanks for the visit. We can't wait for the book. Let's show it one more time there, Jack. October 13. The book is coming out. We're about a month away, October 13th. The Coat of the West, Darrell Sutter, Justin Bourne, helping him out getting the words on paper.

And now, did you do the audio book? Yeah, I did. We did it. Yes. I did it. I drove to Evanton like eight times. And I said, the last time I said, this editing. So you read the book and then it's editing with, with your, out of Toronto, the editors that do it with you.

And that was getting a little. I said, that's just the way I talk. Some guys, Toronto telling you how to talk. Like, if you wanted somebody else to read it, then, say hi to Chris for us. Yeah, you guys are the best. I love you and friggin' them. I'm glad we got good people on our Calgary podcast.

You guys are awesome. Well, we miss you. We hope to see you soon. Keep me up to date on a young fellow there. Yeah, I will. Thanks, Darrell.