The 2026-27 campaign marks the 60th season of Philadelphia Flyers hockey. Throughout the season, on every non-game Friday, PhiladelphiaFlyers.com will feature memorable moments from team history.
Members of one of the most prolific hockey families in the world, twin brothers Ron and Rich Sutter were both top-10 selections in the 1982 NHL Draft. The Philadelphia Flyers selected Ron with the fourth overall pick, while the Pittsburgh Penguins took Rich with the 10th overall selection.
The following year, Flyers general manager and coach Bob McCammon reunited the brothers, who were teammates on the Western Hockey League’s Lethbridge Broncos before turning professional.
On October 23, 1983, the Flyers completed a major trade with the Penguins. Philadelphia received Rich Sutter, a 1984 second-round pick (Greg Smyth) and a 1984 third-round selection (David McLay). In exchange, the Penguins obtained Ron Flockhart, Mark Taylor, Andy Brickley, a 1984 first-round pick (Roger Belanger) and a 1984 third-rounder (later transferred to Vancouver; Mike Stevens).
Later that day, Rich made his Flyers debut. The Flyers won a wide-open 8-5 tilt at the Spectrum against the Buffalo Sabres. Eight different Flyers, including Rich and Ron Sutter, scored once apiece. Bill Barber and tough guy defenseman Glen Cochrane each compile three-point games (one goal, two assists).
Rich Sutter went on to play with the Flyers through the 1985-86 season. Ron, who later served as the Flyers’ captain, was a Flyer through the 1990-91 season. The Flyers traded Ron to the St. Louis Blues on September 21, 1991 in the trade that brought young center Rod Brind'Amour to Philadelphia. Defenseman Murray Baron also went to the Blues in the deal.
Ron Sutter holds a unique distinction in Flyers history. On March 16, 1985, Ron scored the 5,000th goal in Flyers' franchise history. The milestone came during a 6-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nowadays, Rich works as a pro scout for the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has also worked as a hockey analyst for Rogers Sportsnet, appearing on programs like Hockey Central at Noon.
Ron, meanwhile, also focused on the scouting side of the game after his 1,093-game career in the NHL. For roughly 20 seasons, he worked for the Calgary Flames as a pro scout and player development executive.
Both Ron and Rich are regular attendees at Flyers Alumni Association charitable fundraising events. Most recently, they took part in the annual Walk, Run, Ride in Conshohocken.
