The Real Reason Lane Hutson Snubbed From Team USA's Orientation Roster Revealed
We now know why Lane Hutson was not invited to the U.S. Olympic team camp.
In an article by Marco D'Amico published this morning on RG Media, the real reason behind the Montreal Canadiens' star young defenseman not being selected was revealed.
Recall that last week, we learned that Lane Hutson was not among the 16 defensemen invited by the U.S. Olympic ice hockey management-a decision that understandably sparked strong reactions across the NHL, especially in Montreal.
After a historic rookie season, many saw this lack of invitation as a slight against the Canadiens' young talent.
The Reason Lane Hutson Was Not Selected by the U.S. Olympic Team Is Now Revealed
According to a source interviewed by Marco D'Amico who works in the NHL, Hutson's absence is primarily explained by his absence from the World Championships at the end of last season. This reasoning also explains the presence of Frank Nazar, Brady Skjei, and Alex Vlasic at the camp, who helped USA Hockey win gold at the World Championships last May.
According to D'Amico's source, another factor explaining why Hutson was not invited to the orientation camp is that USA Hockey has a surplus of smaller defensemen who play a similar offensive style to his.
"He didn't go to the World Championships; that's the first part and that matters," the source told RG. "I know that for both Canada and the United States, that weighs heavily on the decision-making because they have such deep talent pools. One could argue that they could both put together two squads and still compete for gold.
So, other stuff comes into play and showing up for the Worlds when you have the chance, goes a long way to playing in the Olympics. I know a lot of fans and media didn't believe that when Nick Suzuki wasn't invited to the Four Nations after he didn't go to the Worlds, but that was the case then, too. So, if Hutson really wanted to be at this camp, he should've been there for the World Championships."
So, other stuff comes into play and showing up for the Worlds when you have the chance, goes a long way to playing in the Olympics. I know a lot of fans and media didn't believe that when Nick Suzuki wasn't invited to the Four Nations after he didn't go to the Worlds, but that was the case then, too. So, if Hutson really wanted to be at this camp, he should've been there for the World Championships."
"All of this will be decided on the ice from October to December. So, if Hutson goes out and does what he did for long stretches last season, then I think, due to the injury history of some of the players going to camp, he has a chance to make the Olympic roster."
If it helps lift Hutson's fans' spirits, D'Amico reports that according to his source, the Canadiens defenseman could still shake things up and despite not being selected, he could still make the roster.
Best of luck to Lane! He definitely deserves to be there.
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