Over the past couple months, I’ve insisted to some folks that Darryl Sutter is a reality show waiting to happen. Imagine a series based around the 53-year-old farmer/hockey coach from rural Alberta, finding his way in the beach communities of Southern California. Anyway, the question is, does Sutter relate to today’s players? He has some help. First, since his retirement, he has stayed a part of the game, every year, since 1987, so he’s not losing touch. Perhaps more important is that Sutter’s oldest son, Brett, is a 24-year-old player in the Carolina system.
SUTTER: “What helps you stay current is that the nucleus of that young group (of Kings players) is the same age group as my children. So that helps you.’’
Sutter’s daughter, Jessie, is in her early 20s and his other son, Chris, just turned 19. Does that keep Sutter current? Is he keeping up with all the techno music played in warmups and in the locker room?
SUTTER: “Uh, no. [laughs] … The only impact I’ve had on them, music-wise, is that on the bus they have country music on. Most of them sing right along with it.’’
The locker room is more of a mixed bag. Depending on the day, and who has his finger on the button, it can range from U2 to Kenny Chesney to Elton John. Yes, really.
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