After spending most of the 2023-24 season with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins, former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Michael Hutchinson is getting another shot in the NHL.
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The 34-year-old has signed a professional tryout (PTO) with the New Jersey Devils, the club announced on X Thursday.
Though he made just one appearance with the Detroit Red Wings last season, his primary role was with their AHL affiliate, the Griffins, where he posted a 14-14-3 record with a 2.89 goals-against average and .892 save percentage. In his single outing, Hutchinson played against the Devils, stopping 33 of 36 shots despite New Jersey coming out on top 3-2.
The Barrie, Ontario native played 30 games for the Leafs at the NHL level and has made 57 appearances for the AHL Toronto Marlies. Hutchinson was a part of the Maple Leafs organization throughout the 2018-22 seasons. Now, the netminder will have the chance to reunite with now-former Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe in New Jersey, who was the bench boss for the club for five seasons from 2019-24.
Hutchinson is expected to attend the Devils’ training camp beginning September 18. After the club acquired star goaltender Jacob Markstrom in June and presumed backup Jake Allen in March, the professional tryout represents an opportunity to evaluate him as a potential third option heading into the 2024-25 season.
He has 154 games of NHL experience split among the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, and Red Wings. Hutchinson played for the Barrie Colts in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for three seasons and finished off his junior career playing for the London Knights. The 6-foot-3 netminder was drafted in round three (77th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins.
Whether he earns a permanent role with the organization remains to be seen, but he’ll certainly be in search of being in the fold as a depth option.
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