Rob Hutson isn’t happy with USA Hockey’s decision to leave his son Lane off the Olympic orientation camp roster.
The elder Hutson spoke out against general manager Bill Guerin’s choice during an appearance on the Recrutes Habscast.
“Personally, from my (viewpoint), yeah, I think he should’ve been invited,” Rob Hutson said.
“Our family as a whole has made a big commitment to USA Hockey throughout the years. I don’t know what Bill Guerin was thinking. I don’t know him, and he obviously doesn’t know Lane.”
USA Hockey invited 44 NHLers to its August orientation camp. The group included 16 defensemen.
Lane Hutson’s absence surprised many observers. The Montreal Canadiens defenseman won the Calder Trophy last season as the NHL’s top rookie.
He can still make the Olympic roster despite missing the camp.
“People don’t always make the right decisions,” Rob said. “We have to live with how they see it; we don’t have to agree with it, but obviously, this fuels anyone if you’re as competitive as Lane is.”
The 21-year-old put up 66 points last season. That total ranks fourth among rookie defensemen in NHL history.
Hutson tied for sixth among all defensemen in points. He also tied for second in assists and finished ninth in Norris Trophy voting.
The 5-foot-9 defenseman has worn the USA jersey multiple times internationally. He helped the Americans capture gold at the 2024 World Junior Championship.
But Rob revealed an interesting wrinkle in his sons’ international eligibility.
All four Hutson brothers – Quinn, Lane, Cole, and Lars – hold dual citizenship. Rob is originally from Canada, giving his sons that option despite being born and raised in the United States.
“You never know what happens in the future,” Rob said. “My boys are also Canadian. There is an absolute luxury there.”
