NHL Notebook: Lane Hutson’s dad suggests his sons could play for Team Canada after USA Olympic roster snub

It was a big year for Lane Hutson. The Montreal Canadiens’ defenceman took home the Norris Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie, and helped the Habs reach the playoffs for the first time since 2021.

One thing that didn’t happen for Hutson was being named to the US Olympics Orientation Camp roster. Team USA announced the roster last month, with Canucks forward Conor Garland making the cut. Along with Quinn Hughes, here are the other defencemen who were named to the roster over Hutson:

Brock Faber, Ryan McDonagh, Brady Skjei, Adam Fox, Seth Jones, Brett Pesce, Jaccob Slavin, Noah Hanifin, Jackson LaCombe, Neal Pionk, Alex Vlasic, Luke Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, Jake Sanderson, and Zach Werenski.

One person who clearly isn’t a fan of USA Hockey’s decision to leave Hutson off the roster? Hutson’s dad, Rob.

Speaking with Grant McCagg on the Recrutes HabsCast podcast, Rob Hutson said:

“Listen, you never know what happens in the future. My boys are also Canadian. There’s an absolute luxury there, and a lot of great players have been left off the selection for the Olympics and things like that. I think Brett Hull might have been one of them. He voted with his feet, he went form Canada to the US. There’s all types of scenarios that are… I wouldn’t say in play, but there’s all types of possibilities, right?”

Lane Hutson has three brothers, all of whom are hockey players. His older brother Quinn signed with the Edmonton Oilers last April, and his younger brother Cole was drafted 43rd overall by the Washington Capitals at the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The youngest Hutson brother, Lars, is still just 16 years old and will be playing in the USHL next season. All four brothers were born in the U.S., but Rob Hutson is Canadian, making them eligible to play for Canada internationally.

Now, Team Canada isn’t exactly strapped for defencemen themselves. Headlined by Cale Makar, Canada’s orientation camp roster features names like Evan Bouchard, Noah Dobson, Shea Theodore, Aaron Ekblad, Thomas Harley, Colton Parayko, Mackenzie Weegar, and Devon Toews. Not to mention Drew Doughty, Travis Sanheim, Josh Morrissey, and Brandon Montour.

Even if Hutson himself made it clear he wants to play for Canada internationally, it’s far from a guarantee he’d be selected to the main roster. But who knows what could change if Hutson takes another step forward following a phenomenal rookie campaign?

What do you make of Rob Hutson’s comments and this situation as a whole?