Ryan Suter

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Suter's time in Minnesota began with a rough start, posting a –7 plus-minus rating in his first nine games. However, he stabilized by pairing with rookie defenseman Jonas Brodin, eventually finishing as one of three finalists for the James Norris Memorial Trophy. On January 4, 2014, Suter achieved a rare feat by scoring his first NHL hat-trick against the Washington Capitals; two power-play goals came just 38 seconds apart in the second period, followed by a third goal on a two-on-one with Clayton Stoner to seal a 5–3 victory. In the 2015–16 season, he set a Minnesota Wild franchise record for points by a defenseman in a single season with 43 assists and 51 total points. Throughout his tenure, Suter was relied upon heavily on both the power play and penalty kill, consistently logging large minutes against top opposition.

In Their Own Story

The atmosphere shifted on July 4, 2012, when Suter signed a 13-year, $98 million contract with the Minnesota Wild. Introduced to the media on July 10 alongside Zach Parise as alternate captains, he immediately took on significant responsibility despite an early-season struggle. His partnership with Jonas Brodin became a cornerstone of the defense, helping him become a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy. A defining moment arrived on January 4, 2014, when Suter scored three goals against Washington, including two quick power-play markers and a game-sealing goal off a two-on-one with Clayton Stoner. By October 19, 2018, he had reached his 500th NHL point in a win over the Dallas Stars, becoming the 11th American-born defenseman to do so. Just six days later, on October 25, he played his 1,000th career game. His time concluded abruptly on July 13, 2021, when the Wild bought out the remaining four years of his contract.

Reader's Guide

Fans looking to understand Suter's impact in Minnesota should focus on his durability and ice-time dominance. He arrived as a free agent on July 4, 2012, signing a massive 13-year deal that committed him to the franchise through the decade. His most statistically significant season came in 2015–16 when he set the team record for points by a defenseman with 51. Suter was a versatile asset, playing extensively on both special teams units. Milestone games include his hat-trick against Washington on January 4, 2014, and his 1,000th game played on October 25, 2018. His departure came via contract buyout in July 2021 after the team bought out the final four years of his deal, ending a nine-year chapter that saw him become one of the most prominent American defensemen in NHL history.

Did You Know?

• Suter signed a 13-year, $98 million contract with the Minnesota Wild on July 4, 2012.
• He scored his first NHL hat-trick on January 4, 2014, against the Washington Capitals, with two goals coming just 38 seconds apart.
• Suter became the 11th American-born defenseman to reach 500 NHL points on October 19, 2018.
• He was named to the IIHF All-Time USA Team in 2020.
• After leaving Minnesota, Suter became only the second player in NHL history to be bought out twice.