In 2022-23, Riley Sutter earned the title of most improved player on the Hershey Bears. Sutter had worked his way into a full-time, invaluable role as a penalty killer and faceoff specialist. Under head coach Todd Nelson, Sutter had regular ice time as a reliable player on the ice in any situation. Not known for offense, Sutter ended up scoring one of the most important goals of Hershey’s run to the Calder Cup in 2023. He scored the winning goal in overtime in Game 3 to get the Bears their first win in the final round since 2010. This season, Sutter continues to be just as invaluable but has found ways to further grow his game.
From Humble Beginnings
It’s easy to forget that Sutter made his Hershey debut way back in the 2019-20 season. It took some time for his debut, as he and a few others were injured in a preseason rookie tournament in Nashville. The setback caused him to fall behind in the depth chart on a packed Bears roster. It didn’t help that the season would ultimately be cut short due to the global pandemic in early March. He’d play in much more of the following two seasons but his point totals stayed in single digits.
Enter the 2022-23 season under new head coach Todd Nelson. Sutter settled into a role as a fourth line center and a focal point of the penalty kill. He became a fixture on the ice in late game situations defending a lead, particularly after Brian Pinho moved on from the organization. His contributions help take the defensive burden from his teammates, allowing others to focus on scoring goals. Sutter’s hard work came full circle in June, tallying the decisive goal in Game 3. The win helped the Bears claw back into the series, eventually winning in seven games (and then some).
Sutter Leads
“He’s been great for us,” head coach Todd Nelson said of Sutter. “He’s the backbone of our defensive game. Great on the penalty kill, I can rely on him in the last minute of the game. It was nice that he got rewarded over the weekend scoring some goals. He does the little things right, and he’s developing into a leader. He says all the right things on the bench and the guys look up to him. (Sutter) understands that you have to play the right way day-in and day-out.”
This season, Sutter has returned in his usual spot centering the fourth line. However, he’s quickly taken on the role of mentor and role model with solid results. Earlier on, Sutter teamed up with top Washington rookie Ivan Miroshnichenko on his fourth line. The goal of the assignment was to help mentor the youngest Bear about the defensive side of the game. It didn’t hurt that the two teamed up for goals on more than a few occasions, too.
It’s led to a significant uptick in offensive production for Sutter. He’s eclipsed his previous bests in goals, assists, and points with plenty of time to add to his numbers. Most recently, he’s tallied four goals and an assist in a set of three games in as many days for the Bears. At times, he’s even worn the alternate captain’s “A” on his jersey further adding to his leadership qualities.
Better Together
Although Sutter has anchored the fourth line for some time, he’s made a formidable team with fellow forward Matt Strome. Strome, in a similar vein to Sutter, carved a niche for himself as a checking forward with a penchant for the penalty kill. During Saturday’s win over the Syracuse Crunch, the Bears found themselves down two players for nearly two full minutes. Sutter and Strome rotated as the lone forward during that time, killing the penalty and preventing the visitors from cutting into Hershey’s lead.
Sutter is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. The Washington Capitals would be wise to extend him and give him a look as soon as this season. Hershey’s NHL affiliate has already integrated five members of the Bears’ Calder Cup team into their lineup, and it’s no surprise they’ve seen success. The Caps have battled their way into the playoff conversation with players like Hendrix Lapierre factoring in heavily. Washington might consider getting younger, with Sutter an excellent option on the team’s fourth line at the highest level. It’d be a great reward for a player who has succeeded in his role in Hershey.
