Rich Sutter Wants Canes' GM Job

There's been a lot chit chat around Lethbridge the past week or so about who might fill the now vacant General Manager's position with the Hurricanes. Well, you can add one more name to the mix, Richie Sutter. Sutter told me yesterday that he's officially running for the job. Here's the transcript from a sit down interview I had with the former NHLer and Broncos/Hurricanes Hall of Famer:

Pat: Why have you decided to run for G.M. of the Canes'?

Rich: Well, first and foremost because I care. I care about our community and I feel I have a responsibility to the people here in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta. Since January when I came on as a consultant and worked with the hockey operations part of the club, there's been a lot of sleepless nights and concerns about the organization and where we need to have this organization put back to. I want to be the guy to be given the opportunity. I think my experience speaks for itself in the hockey world. I want to be here, very simply put.

Pat: Have you told the Hurricanes Board of Directors of your intentions to seek the G.M. position?

Rich: I would hope they know. I mean they've got my resume. I had to track people around the world to do that, but you know that's part of the business and that's the way things go. Obviously I know with my references, I know I've got a lot of people in the hockey world that are going to back me up on this. I just hope that the people in charge here will see that and give me the opportunity. I do know one thing, that if given the opportunity I will not disappoint anybody.

Pat: Given the fact you live in Lethbridge and have a history with the organization in the past, do the Hurricanes mean something special to you?

Rich: Well, I've certainly grown on it in the last few months since coming on board in January and I just feel it's time. We've got people in our community that our hockey people, not just myself that we can build a team around in terms of hockey operations staff. I think people need to be given that opportunity. The experience and leadership I know I can bring to the group and make an environment that kids want to come to, that office staff want to be part of. It just tells me how much I want to be part of it. That's why I'm here.

So there you go. Take that as Richie's official announcement that he's running for the job. That would make at least two candidates I know of. The other of course is Brad Robson, the Hurricanes current assistant G.M. and Director of Scouting. He's told me he's running as well. The Hurricanes Board of Directors plans to make a decision on the new General Manager before July.

Thanks,
Pat

Beach Signs with NHL's Blackhawks

Chicago, IL -- The Chicago Blackhawks have signed left wing Kyle Beach, the team’s first choice, 11th overall, in the 2008 National Hockey League Entry Draft, to a three-year deal.Beach, 19, split the 2008-09 season between the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips and Lethbridge Hurricanes, recording 63 points (24G, 39A) in 54 regular-season games during his four major junior campaign. The Vancouver, British Columbia, native ranked fourth in the WHL during the regular season with 165 penalty minutes, while his 39 assists and 63 points finished second on Lethbridge. He collected two points (G, A) and 31 penalty minutes in 10 postseason games.

Beach also made his professional debut this season with the American Hockey League’s Rockford Ice Hogs after singing an amateur tryout contact with the Blackhawks affiliate on April 9. He posted 15 penalty minutes in two regular-season matchups while also appearing in one postseason contest.

Beach has recorded 187 points (82G, 105A) and 589 penalty minutes in 183 regular-season WHL contests spanning four seasons with Everett (2005-09) and Lethbridge (2008-09). He was acquired by the Hurricanes this season at the WHL’s Trade Deadline (Jan. 6) and collected 33 points (15G, 18A) in 24 games to finish the regular season.