Darryl Sutter Will Release New Book This Tuesday
The former NHL coach explores his life on the ranch and his career in a memoir out on October 13, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Hockey
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Darryl Sutter is set to release his new 260-page memoir, The Code of the West: Lessons from the Ranch and the Rink, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Published by Penguin Random House Canada, the book chronicles his life in hockey and his experiences managing his ranch in Alberta.
Why it matters
The memoir offers a look at the life of the 68-year-old former coach who led the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cup titles. Sutter also discusses his career trajectory following his 2023 departure from the Calgary Flames and his criteria for a potential return to the NHL.
Sutter spent 45 years in the NHL and won two Stanley Cup titles as a coach. The book is 260 pages long and covers his career, which includes stops in Los Angeles, Anaheim, and Calgary.
The players
Darryl Sutter
He is a 68-year-old former NHL head coach who led the Los Angeles Kings to two Stanley Cup championships.
Justin Bourne
He assisted Darryl Sutter as a writer for the production of the new memoir.
Chris Sutter
He is the 33-year-old son of Darryl Sutter whose well-being remains a factor in his father's future employment decisions.
The details
Co-written with Justin Bourne, the book details life at his 3,300-acre ranch near Viking, Alberta, and his transition through various roles in the league. Sutter also narrates the audiobook version, reflecting on his long-term tenure in professional hockey.
Timeline
Sutter served as an advisor for the Anaheim Ducks from 2019 to 2021.
Sutter finished his tenure coaching the Calgary Flames in 2023.
The book will be released on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The publication provides personal insight into a coach who has defined various eras of NHL hockey through his work with multiple franchises. His openness about a potential return impacts discussions regarding the landscape of coaching vacancies across the 32-team league.
The memoir provides fans with direct insight into the decision-making process of a veteran coach who oversaw 45 years of league history. Readers interested in coaching strategy or team management will gain perspective on the high-level operational realities of the modern NHL.
The takeaway
Sutter remains a prominent voice in hockey, balancing his commitment to his family ranch in Alberta with a continued interest in the sport. His memoir serves as both a retrospective of his 45-year career and a statement on his requirements for a future professional role.
Further reading
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