Dan Sallows

The name Sutter goes hand in hand with hockey, just as a song from Johny Cash makes you instantly think of cowboy hats and country music, so the fact that 16-year-old Lukas Sutter is a top prospect for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft isn’t really that surprising. His father, Rich Sutter, put up 315 points (149G,166A) through 874 games in his solid 13-year NHL career. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Lukas has simply been bred for the game like a champion racehorse, and is quickly carving out his name among the Sutter family greats. He is fresh off a silver medal-winning performance at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament with team USA, where he potted 3 goals (which tied for the team lead) and 4 points in 5 games. This past season, Sutter racked up 6 goals and 12 points in an injury-shortened 13 games with his midget AAA Lethbridge Titans club, and also spent 12 games with the Saskatoon Blades, who selected the youngster in the 2nd round (42nd overall) in the 2008 WHL Bantam Draft. He is already bigger in stature than his famous dad, and brings to the game many of the same attributes. He is a strong skater, a very dependable two-way forward, has a good shot, great leadership qualities, competes hard, and boasts good vision and high-end hockey sense. The sky is the limit, when it comes to just how good Lukas Sutter could be, and he is working hard to realize all that potential. Along with being a great young player he seems to be a level headed kid with a good sense of humour, and mature beyond his years when it comes to the game of hockey. I had a chance to catch up with one of the next generation of Sutter’s, that looks destined to make his mark on the hockey world, for a quick Q and A.

Being from the famous Sutter gene pool obviously hockey is a way of life. What have you taken from your dad, and uncles as far as how you approach the game, and who has been the biggest influence for you in developing your game thus far?

Lukas: They have been there and have had experiences that to date, I only dream of. They have taught me that preparation is the biggest thing. Another thing, is to always come prepared to work. Lastly, they’ve taught me to dream big dreams. There is no sense in setting low goals that are easy to accomplish. My Dad has been the biggest influence on my game. He’s always been there to push me and better me as an individual.

What do you believe are your best attributes as a player?

Lukas: I feel that my best attributes as a player are my defensive awareness and my faceoff ability. I have always been a defense first player and feel that I can always be counted on to take key faceoffs.

You had a really good showing with team USA at the 2010 Ivan Hlinka, which included two huge goals in the Semi-Final game against Sweden. Where does that experience rank on your career highlights so far, and what for you was the most memorable moment of the tourney?

Lukas: It was amazing, I have never been known to score big goals so that happening for me was an amazing feeling. Certainly beating Sweden in the semi’s was the most memorable moment. Seeing Murph (Connor Murphy) slide that puck in and throw his arms in there air felt like it was the weight of the world off of our shoulders.

You’ve played with the USA hockey program a couple times now, because your last name is synonymous with Canadian hockey, was it ever a tough decision on which country you’d represent?

Lukas: In all honesty, it wasn’t a very difficult decision at all. Hockey is a game of opportunity, and for me the opportunities have always been with Team USA which made the decision easy.

Is there a player in the NHL you mold your game after?

Lukas: I like players like Mike Richards and Jonathan Toews. Guys who are true leaders, and play with there heart on there sleeve and contribute while doing so.

What was your ‘welcome moment’ to the WHL?

Lukas: My first game was in Kootenay, and it just so happened that we had a couple of guys get kicked out early in the second period, so I saw some big minutes and ended up getting an assist on a goal scored by Jeremy Boyer, which was a moment I’ll never forget.

Going into the 2010-11 season with a Saskatoon Blades club that was very good last year, finishing with a 46-19-3-4 record and that has a nice mix of veteran and young players, what do you hope to bring to the team?

Lukas: I hope to be a good role player who can play in key situations, and develop as player so I can contribute as the season goes on.

You have battled the injury bug a bit over the past few seasons, but when you have played you’ve been very good at contributing. How do you feel going into training camp?

Lukas: This past season was a battle to say the least, but I feel 100% now and am good to go.

Are you going to feel any pressure to perform next season with it being your draft year?

Lukas: No, you just have to play. You’re better when you are playing like yourself rather then having that thought in the back of your mind.

You’ve scored a few goals in your minor hockey career, and with team USA, do you have one that stands out as your biggest?

Lukas: Certainly either of those goals against Sweden are pretty memorable. Also, the goal I scored against Slovakia in the exhibition game was memorable because it was the first one the team had scored.

A lot of guys like to trash talk on the ice, what’s the funniest chirp you’ve heard while playing?

Lukas: There have been lots of good ones, none that really stand out, but there are a few that actually make you crack up.

What do you like to do in your downtime from hockey?

Lukas: I like to hang out with my family and friends, play a few rounds of golf. Most people might not believe it, but I also really enjoy to read to tell you the truth.

Do you have any hidden talents?

Lukas: I can’t say I do. I’m definitely not a singer.

At the NHL combine, it is rumoured they ask some fairly odd questions. What would your answers be if these are to get tossed your way…

‘What would you like better, a gun, or a good poem?’

Lukas: What can a good poem protect you from?

‘If you were getting invaded by a country in a war and you had to take one family member with you, who would it be?’

Lukas: Definitely my sister Kendra, she’s the brains so she could help me devise a plan. We also get along really well so I wouldn’t get sick of her.

‘If you were to come back as an animal, which one would it be?’

Lukas: A tiger or a lion for sure. No sense in being something weak.

Most embarrassing hockey moment?

Lukas: In my first year of Major Bantam, we were playing in the provincial finals and there was well over 1,000 fans watching the game. I came flying onto the ice all hyped up, slipped and fell, slid into both the ref and the linesman, and actually tripped a linesman. When he fell his hand caught my skate, and I sliced him pretty good.

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• 2010 Ivan Hlinka Tournament: USA Finishes Off Finland to Earn a Birth in Semi-Finals
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