ONE ON ONE with Brian Sutherby
Brian Sutherby when he played for the Washington Capitals
Recently the Moose Jaw Warriors announced their 2019 inductees into the Hall of Fame. One of the two players selected was Brian Sutherby, Nick Murray interviewed the Warriors great to get his feelings on the honour.
Nick Murray
Brian Sutherby admits that he has been following the Moose Jaw Warriors since his time with the club ended back in 2002; with a particular eye on who got selected for the club's Hall of Fame.
"I felt like I had a good 4 years in the Jaw as a player and I was always kind of hopeful this day might come" he said.
Sutherby, along with former Warrior linemate, Shawn Limpwright, will be inducted to the Conexus Warriors and Legends Hall of Fame on February 15th at Mosaic Place.
Sutherby, the Edmonton native, was a star player for Moose Jaw from 1998 until 2002. He was the team's leading scorer in the 2000-01 season.
He achieved the ultimate hockey dream when he cracked the roster for the Washington Capitals in 2002 (He was drafted #26 in 2000).
He spent six years in the Capitals organization before playing for both the Anaheim Ducks and the Dallas Stars and was never afraid to drop the gloves. A quick YouTube search yields a nearly endless stream of his on-ice dust-ups.
Sutherby officially hung his skates up six years ago and is now a scout in the Capitals organization. If not for injuries Sutherby would have likely played a lot longer.
"I moved back to the Anaheim area with my wife and 2 boys (6 & 4) and am going into my 5th year of pro scouting with the Washington Capitals" he said, adding, needless to say, between last summers Stanley Cup run and this news...it’s been an incredible year."
Sutherby is excited about his induction.
" It means a lot," he said." It’s cliche but it’s true.. when I played there, all the past players said Junior was the best time of their hockey career. I feel no different
Sutherby remembers his time in Moose Jaw very clearly.
"Moving away from home at 16. Being a little homesick the first year and then never wanting to leave. The small town feel and tightness and support of the community. My teammates. The team staff. My billets and other players billets who we built such great relationships with over the years. Post games at Boston Pizza
"I look back at the teams we had and the friends I made and the city and fans...it was such a great time in my life...It’s a huge honor to be recognized for a period of time that I already look back at with so many great feelings and memories. This just makes my whole time there that much more special."
He also remembers his favorite on-ice moment as a Warrior too.
"It was definitely beating Regina in the first round of the 01-02 playoffs. The city was crazy.
During Sutherby's time in the NHL he was a teammate to many of the all-time greats: Jaromir Jagr, Teemu Selanne, Chris Pronger and Mike Modano, just to name a few. But the former teammate that stands out the most to him was Alexander Ovechkin.
He was "number 1" Sutherby added. "It Was a thrill to watch him daily and call him a friend so early in his career."
He also mentioned Ryan Getzlaf and Scott Niedermayer as some of his most impressive former teammates
"Both of those guys were so intelligent and talented, they made the game look easier than most."
Sutherby will not be the only Warrior inducted to the club's Hall of Fame, so will former teammate Shawn Limpwright; a player that Sutherby has kept in touch with all these years
"Getting inducted with Limps is so awesome. Over the years you lose touch with guys but Limps and I have always stayed in touch. I spoke with him not long after this. It’s going to be a fantastic weekend made better because we get to have a bit of a reunion together."
He was an awesome teammate Sutherby said. "A blast off the ice and a very good hockey player. One of the most fearless players I ever played with. Wasn’t big but was never afraid of anything or anyone. Gave everything he had every night for us
Sutherby is excited about the induction ceremony because it also gives him the opportunity to show his wife and kids around Moose Jaw and to see some familiar faces he hasn't seen in a long time.
Sutherby expressed gratitude to whoever was in charge of voting for him and allowing him this honor.
The induction is on Feb 15th at Mosaic Place. Sutherby and Limpwright will be honoured again Saturday, February 16, before the Hall of Fame Game against the Regina Pats at Mosaic Place.
Tickets for the 2018 Conexus Warriors and Legends Hall of Banquet are $75 each or $500 for a table of eight. They are available at the Warriors Office located in Mosaic Place or from Hall of Fame Committee members.
