Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson was left off Team USA's Olympic orientation camp roster last month. This led to Hutson's father, Rob Hutson, bringing up the possibility of the Canadiens star blueliner playing for Team Canada in the future instead of Team USA due to having dual citizenship during an appearance on the Recrutes Habscast podcast.
"You never know what happens in the future, like my boys are also Canadian," Rob said about Lane. "There is an absolute luxury there."
However, while recently speaking to reporters, Lane made it clear that he is a USA Hockey player.
"What clip? I'm just kidding," the Canadiens star joked. "He gets emotional and whatever. Sometimes it gets the best of you. You say things you don't necessarily mean, and it maybe gets taken out of context or whatever, but I'm proud to be American, and I love USA Hockey. They've done so much for me. I love playing in Canada and I'm very fortunate, but I'm a USA Hockey player, and that's just how it is."
Based on Hutson's comments, it is clear that he is only interested in representing Team USA whenever the opportunity to play internationally comes up for the Habs defenseman.
In 82 games this past season for the Habs, Hutson posted six goals, 60 assists, and 66 points. The Calder Memorial Trophy winner then followed that up by recording five assists in five playoff games this past spring.