Defenseman Hutton Has to Patiently Wait for His Chance in Anaheim

As much as Ben Hutton was dying to get back to playing some hockey, the circumstances of the world meant the young defenseman had to cool his heels a little longer after signing with the Ducks.

Hutton was signed to a PTO (pro tryout contract) by the Ducks during training camp but was officially brought into the fold with a one-year deal solidified last week. After arriving in Southern California from his hometown of Ottawa, COVID regulations meant Hutton had to quarantine for seven days before he could join his new team. Tuesday was his first day of practice, and Hutton hopes that first game will come soon afterward.
"I'm excited to be here," the enthusiastic Hutton said in a post-practice session with media. "Obviously I had to quarantine when I first got here, so I was hanging out in the hotel for a little bit and just itching to get out on the ice with the guys and meet them."
The 27-year-old defenseman has spent five years in the NHL with the Canucks and Kings. Last season in LA, he played 65 games and earned 4-12=16 points with a +5 rating.
During a unique and lengthy offseason, he was eagerly looking for a place to play while he was back home and watched his workout partners all venture off to their respective teams and training camps.
"It was definitely a different offseason with COVID and how long it was," Hutton said. "So last few weeks before I left, I was skating with my regular group [in Ottawa] and training. Then they all kind of went off to camp and there was only a few guys left, which was good though. I got to work on a couple extra things, some skill work. So before I left, I was just pretty much skating on my own and training on my own with my trainer and just getting ready and ramped up to what I thought was going to be camp.
But it wasn't until Anaheim came calling that he had a destination of his own, and like a lot of veteran players he had to sign a PTO before getting that one-year NHL contract.
"This is a unique year, obviously. No one was really prepared for a pandemic like this. COVID kind of came out of left field," Hutton said. "We didn't even know if we were going to have a season, and then the whole salary cap and everything like that. I don't think anyone was really prepared for it. So unfortunately, I think some of the veteran guys had to take PTOs (professional tryout) and earn their spots, but, you know, that's hockey. I don't think anyone should be given anything, and everyone should have to earn what they deserve. You definitely had to roll with the punches and go with the flow."
Ultimately when the Ducks made their commitment to Hutton, he was more than happy to return to Southern California.
"I was just up the road [last year], so I'm familiar with California and the beautiful weather," said Hutton, who will wear #7 in a Ducks sweater. "Honestly, it's a beautiful place to be and play. And I know Anaheim normally has a lot of loud fans in here. Obviously, this year's a little bit different, but like I said, I'm happy to be here."
He didn't get the chance to enjoy the Southern California scene all that much when he arrived, however. "I had to quarantine for seven days, so I was in the hotel just hanging out and doing nothing, trying to work out and train as much as you can in a hotel," he said. "Now finally I'm free from there, so I'm able to come to the rink and do stuff. And I passed all my COVID tests, so it's good."
And he's already heard from some of his former Kings teammates about landing with a SoCal rival. "Yeah, I got a couple [texts], and I already told them down the road's a little bit nicer than there," he said with a chuckle. "So I'm a full-time Duck, and I know where I stand."
Just where he stands on this Ducks roster remains to be seen, but he was brought in as a depth defenseman after Anaheim lost Brendan Guhle to an injury and Christian Djoos was claimed off waivers.
"They've talked to me and obviously just like everyone else, you've gotta earn your ice time," Hutton said. "They told me they're going to give me an opportunity, but I've got to come in and perform. That's my game plan and that's on my agenda. I thought last year I did a pretty good job with the Kings and I'm now just trying to build off that."