The University of Wisconsin, the city of Madison and United States hockey wouldn’t be the same without the name Bob Suter. However, the hockey world and the Badgers athletic family will be down one of the greats.
Andy Baggot of the Wisconsin State Journal is reporting that Bob Suter has passed away at the age of 57 years old.
Terrible news for the Madison and U.S.hockey communities: Sources say Bob Suter has died of an apparent heart attack.
— Andy Baggot (@AndyBaggot) September 9, 2014
The name Suter is one of the best-known in Wisconsin hockey history. Bob has been the heat of the fabric of hockey in the city of Madison, the Badgers and hockey at the national level.
He grew up in Madison, played high school hockey at Madison East and went on to be part of the rebirth of hockey at the University of Wisconsin. While at Wisconsin he helped the Badgers to the national championship in 1977 and became one of the most feared physical players in college hockey.
Suter would set many records for penalty minutes during his three years at Wisconsin (1977-79).
That 1977 championship team was one of the best in Badger hockey history, featuring four first-team All-Americans in Mike Eaves, Mark Johnson, Craig Norwich and Bob Suter.
After leaving Wisconsin, Suter would join the Tulsa Oilers on a tryout deal, but would leave to become a part of the most memorable American hockey team in history. Suter was a member of the 1980 Olympic champion ice hockey team, better known for its victory over the Soviet Union in the “Miracle on Ice.”
Suter never got his chance to play in the NHL due to injuries, but he returned to his native Madison and became heavily involved in local youth hockey.
He also is the father of one of the best in the current generation of Badger hockey, Ryan Suter. His other son, Garrett, played at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and his brother Gary went on to play in the NHL after playing at Wisconsin as well.
To say Suter meant a lot to the development of the modern game in Wisconsin would be an understatement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Suter family and his presence and importance to hockey in the state will never be forgotten.
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