Dec 28, 2002

Darryl Sutter named coach of Flames
http://www.nhl.com/onthefly/news/73423.html

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) -- Darryl Sutter was hired as the new coach of the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

Sutter was fired by the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 1 after an 8-12-2-2 start. He will make his debut with Calgary on Sunday night against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

Calgary fired Greg Gilbert on Dec. 3. Gilbert was in his second full season as coach after taking over the team in March 2001, when Don Hay was fired.

Al MacNeil, the special assistant to general manger Craig Button, was the interim coach.

Sutter's name was among the first to surface as a potential candidate when the Flames fired Gilbert and assistant coach Brad McCrimmon. Sutter's family has roots in Alberta and his brother, Brian, coached the Flames for three seasons.

In just over five seasons with the Sharks, Sutter had a regular-season record of 192-182-60.