Volume 12 Issue 2 September 2013 What’s Inside
Darryl Sutter
Darryl Sutter Behind the Bench and On the Ranch
1
Gate Post Simmental On The Move!
10
Simmental Innovations
19
Breed Improvement Scrotal Circumference: Fact or Fiction
24
Vet’s Advice
42
What’s Happening
61
Publication Mail Agreement # 40012794
Commercial Country
Behind the Bench and On the Ranch
D
“
ad used to tell us when we were home from hockey: ‘They aren’t making any more of that’,” recounts Darryl Sutter, pointing at the rolling hills around his farm east of the small town of Viking, Alberta (approximately 120 km east of Edmonton). Over the years, this advice stuck with Darryl and his brothers as they travelled around the world playing and coaching hockey at the highest levels. Even after his first Stanley Cup victory as coach of the LA Kings in 2012, ranching is still every bit as important to Darryl Sutter as his sports career. Simmental breeders will be happy to know that their breed is an important part of Darryl’s playbook off-the ice. Arguably the most famous family in hockey history, six of Louis and Grace Sutter’s seven sons played in the NHL: Brent, Brian, Darryl, Duane, Rich and Ron (the oldest brother, Gary, pursued opportunities outside of the hockey arena, but was reputed to be the best player of all). In addition to their sports fame, the Sutter family also has deep roots in agriculture. The Sutter homestead near Viking was established in 1905. Louis took over the family farm but decided he needed a bigger land base to raise seven sons. In 1966, they moved from the original homestead, consisting of 320 acres, to a section of land (640 acres). Darryl’s family and Grace Sutter still call this property home today. In 1980 Darryl married Wanda, also a native of the Viking area. Around the same time, even though spending most of his time in Chicago playing for the Blackhawks, Darryl chose to invest in agriculture. In the eighties hockey players didn’t make the multi-million dollar salaries they do today, so just like any other young farmers Darryl and Wanda borrowed money to buy their first farmland. More interested in cattle than grain farming, Darryl also purchased cows. Initially his father fed and managed the cowherd while hockey kept Darryl away during the fall, winter and spring months. When Louis Sutter’s health failed, the cows were wintered and calved out at a neighboring farm. After Louis passed away in 2005, Darryl bought out his brothers’ and mother’s share of the farm estate. Even before this time, Darryl and Wanda had decided the farm at Viking would be their home away from hockey. The fact that this was where family roots were for both husband and wife was important, and Darryl states: “All my best friends live here.” But perhaps the key factor in this choice was their children. When their youngest son, Chris, was born in 1993 he was immediately diagnosed with Down’s syndrome. Between 1995 and 1997, Darryl took two seasons off from coaching hockey to focus on Chris’ development while farming full-time with Wanda and their older children, Jessie and Brett. Over the years, Darryl and Wanda continued to expand their land base. Their operation now consists of over 3,300 acres and about 260 cows. Darryl had
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