After stepping away from the public eye following his time with the Flames, Darryl Sutter is returning with a new book that promises candid stories from his decades in hockey as both a coach and general manager.
For the first time in years, Darryl Sutter is stepping back into the spotlight—and he's bringing plenty of stories with him.
The former Calgary Flames bench boss is set to release a new book later this year, giving hockey fans a rare glimpse into the mindset of one of the NHL's most memorable and polarizing personalities.
Sutter Returns To The Spotlight With New Book
On Tuesday, Sportsnet's Justin Bourne revealed that Sutter will publish The Code of the West – Lessons From the Ranch and the Rink, with the book scheduled to hit shelves on Oct. 13.
Few figures in hockey have built a reputation quite like Sutter's. Whether behind the bench, working in a front office, or speaking to reporters, the Alberta native earned a reputation for being unapologetically direct and refreshingly authentic.
"[Sutter] is better known and even more loved for his reputation—as an advocate of aggressive, hard-nosed hockey, as a no-nonsense farmer who was never softened by the bright lights of fame, as one of six brothers who made it to the NHL, and as perhaps the most entertainingly blunt interviewee in the history of the game, capable of dissolving a scrum of reporters into laughter with a deadpan one-liner," reads the book's description.
"Fans, players, media, and opponents—everyone knows what they are going to get with Darryl Sutter. No bull. Just the stuff that means something."
The book is currently available for pre-order through Indigo, where the hardcover edition is listed at $26.60. An ebook version will also be available for $16.99.
A Career Built On Championships, Candor, And Hockey Tradition
While many younger fans know Sutter for his coaching career, his hockey résumé stretches back decades. He appeared in 406 NHL games with the Chicago Blackhawks, recording 161 goals and 279 points while sharing the ice with stars such as Denis Savard and Tony Esposito.
His impact behind the bench was even greater.
Sutter guided the Los Angeles Kings to Stanley Cup championships in both 2012 and 2014, cementing his legacy as one of the most successful coaches of his era. Along the way, he coached some of the game's biggest names, including Chris Chelios, Jeremy Roenick, Bernie Nichols, Jarome Iginla, Anze Kopitar, and Drew Doughty.
His connection to Calgary remains especially significant. Sutter served as both head coach and general manager during a pivotal period in franchise history before returning for a second coaching stint in 2021. That return culminated in a Jack Adams Award-winning season in 2021-22, though his tenure came to an end following the 2022-23 campaign.
Since then, Sutter has largely stayed out of the public eye, making this book one of the first major opportunities for fans to hear directly from him again.
Given his decades in the game, championship pedigree, and reputation for telling it exactly how he sees it, there should be no shortage of stories waiting between the covers.
