Brandon Sutter hoping to make NHL comeback soon

After nearly two years away from professional hockey due to long-haul COVID-19 symptoms, Brandon Sutter is not giving up on his NHL dream.

Sutter, who was the only Vancouver Canucks player to suffer from long-haul symptoms after contracting the Gamma variant in the spring of 2021, has been working out and skating with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels, a team owned by his father, Brent Sutter. Though he admits he still has a long way to go, Sutter is hoping to try out for a team this September.

“It’s finally improving. Finally starting to feel better. Making some progress. It’s been a long road… Starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel,” Sutter said.

Describing his long-haul symptoms,

Sutter said, “You kind of have dysregulation in your immune system. Your body is almost in an inflammatory state, and different organs react in different ways. It’s just been a grind.”

In April 2021, Brandon Sutter felt like he had recovered from COVID, so he came back to play in eight more games before the 2020–21 season was over. However, he stopped playing in August after experiencing new symptoms. Despite feeling frustrated by setbacks and sluggish progress, Sutter is optimistic and driven.

“I still have that drive for it. Even skating with the junior kids here, some days you get back on the ice and you forget how much you miss it… The second it’s gone, it’s taken from you, you realize how much you missed the game and just being around the dressing room and with the guys. It’s definitely something you miss more than anything,” he said.

Brandon Sutter’s upcoming training camp will be his “last chance” to try and make a comeback.

“If it works out, I’ll be pretty excited. And if it doesn’t, that’s just the way it goes. Your health comes first,” he said.

Brandon Sutter's NHL Career

Brandon Sutter is a veteran NHL player who has been in the league for over a decade. He was drafted 11th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and made his debut in 2008. He played for the Hurricanes for four seasons, where he was primarily used as a third-line center and penalty killer.

In 2012, Sutter was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he played for three seasons. He continues to serve the Penguins in a similar capacity as a dependable defensive forward who can contribute offensively when necessary. In 2015, Sutter was dealt once more, this time going to the Vancouver Canucks. Since then, he has been a member of the Canucks, primarily playing center on the third and fourth lines.

Brandon Sutter has been a valuable two-way forward throughout his career and is renowned for both his defense and penalty-killing skills. He has also demonstrated consistency as a faceoff specialist, winning more than 50% of his draws.

Brandon Sutter has scored over 100 goals and 200 points in his NHL career and has played over 770 games.