Calgary Flames fire Geoff Ward, hire Darryl Sutter

The Calgary Flames fired head coach Geoff Ward on Thursday night and immediately hired Darryl Sutter as his replacement.

The #Flames have named Darryl Sutter as head coach after relieving Geoff Ward of his coaching duties. https://t.co/mLnCcViexV

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 5, 2021

Sutter returns to the bench for the first time since his stint with the Los Angeles Kings from 2011-17. He led the Kings to Stanley Cup victories in 2012 and 2014.

This is Sutter’s second stint with the Flames. He was hired on Dec. 28, 2002 and coached through July 12, 2006. He was also the club’s general manager from April 1, 2003 through Dec. 28, 2010. He led the Flames to a record of 107-73-15-15 in his three seasons as head coach.

In his 18 seasons as an NHL head coach, he has had 15 winning seasons.