Michael Hutchinson
| Birthday: 1990-03-02 | Position: G |
| Eligible for draft: 2008 | Catches: Right |
| Drafted: 2008 | Height: 6-3 |
| Acquired: 3rd round (77th overall), 2008 | Weight: 185 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- D
History
2006-07: Michael Hutchinson split the season between the OHL and OPJHL. He went 8-3-0 with the Barrie Colts, then appeared in eight games with the Orangeville Crushers.
2007-08: In his second season with the Barrie Colts (OHL), Hutchinson appeared in 32 games. A strong postseason performance that placed second among the league’s goaltenders in save percentage helped boost his position prior to the the draft.
2008-09: In 38 games for the Barrie Colts, Hutchinson posted a 15-20-0-1 record, a 3.02 goals-against average, and a .915 save percentage. In 3 playoff games, he posted a 0-2-0 record, a 5.37 goals-against average, and a .872 save percentage.
2009-10: Hutchinson moved over to the OHL’s London Knights. In 46 games, he turned in a 32-12-1-1 record, a 2.86 goals-against average, and a .913 save percentage. In 12 playoff games for the Knights, Hutchinson posted a 7-4-1 record, a .411 goals-against average, and a .870 save percentage. He signed a contract with the Boston Bruins in March, 2010.
2010-11: Hutchinson split his first pro season between AHL Providence and ECHL Reading; experiencing the ups-and-downs expected of a 20-year-old making the jump from junior hockey. He opened the season in the AHL and was with the P-Bruins through December before being demoted prior to the New Year. He seemed sharp in his return to Providence in February, winning 3 of 4 starts with the lone loss being a 42-save, shootout loss to Worcester. He was back-and-forth between the AHL and ECHL after that stretch and started just two AHL games (both losses) in March. The season ended on an up note as he allowed just five goals in his final three AHL starts, winning all three, and was with Boston during its Stanley Cup run – though he did not see any playoff action. In 28 games with Providence, Hutchinson was 13-10 with one overtime loss and one shutout and had a 3.13 GAA and .904 save percentage. He appeared in 18 games with ECHL Reading and was 9-5 with four OT losses. He had one ECHL shutout and a 2.86 GAA with a .918 save percentage with the Royals.
2011-12: Hutchinson was called up by the Bruins twice as an emergency back-up but did not see any NHL action — splitting his second pro season between Boston’s AHL and ECHL affiliates Providence and Reading respectively. Hutchinson appeared in 29 games for Providence behind veteran Anton Khudobin and was 13-14-1 with 3 shutouts. He had a 2.36 goals against and .927 save percentage. Providence missed the AHL playoffs; finishing fourth in the Atlantic Division. In two ECHL games with the Royals he was 1-1 with a 3.50 goals against and .915 save percentage.
2012-13: Hutchinson appeared in 30 games for Bruins AHL affiliate Providence in his third pro season. Playing behind 37-game winner Niklas Svedberg, he was 13-13-3 with 3 shutouts and had a 2.30 goals against and .914 save percentage. Providence finished first in the Atlantic Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Hutchinson played in two playoff games, stopping 16 of 17 shots in 49 minutes of action in relief of Svedberg. Hutchinson was not tendered a qualifying offer by Boston and signed a one-year contract with Winnipeg as an unrestricted free agent in July 2013.
2013-14: Hutchinson had a breakout season as a 23-year-old — making his NHL debut in three late season games with the Jets — and backstopping Winnipeg AHL affiliate St. John’s to the Calder Cup finals after spending much of the first half of the season in the ECHL. After stopping 16 of 17 shots in a 1-0 loss to Minnesota in his NHL debut on April 7th, he had wins over Boston and Calgary on back-to-back nights and finished with a 1.64 goals against and .943 save percentage in three games. Hutchinson was 17-5-1 with three shutouts and had a 2.30 goals against and .923 save percentage in 24 regular season games for St. John’s. The IceCaps finished second in the Atlantic Division but reached the Eastern Conference finals, defeating Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, before falling to the Texas Stars in the Calder Cup Finals. Hutchinson started all 21 playoff games and was 12-9 with three shutouts; posting a 1.95 goals against and .938 save percentage. In 28 games with the ECHL’s Ontario Reign he was 22-4-2 with three shutouts and had a 2.08 goals against and .921 save percentage.
Talent Analysis
Hutchinson is a good sized goaltender with excellent quickness. Poised and confident in the net, one of his greatest strengths is the ability to read and anticipate plays. He is positionally sound with good overall mechanics. Has the ability to go on hot streaks and steal games. However, consistency has been an issue at times.
Future
Hutchinson has NHL talent, but had consistency issues early in his career and was stuck behind Tuukka Rask and Niklas Svedberg in the Bruins organization. Backing up veteran Ondrej Pavelec with the Jets in 2014-15, he has played well when called upon so far this season. Whether he has the upside to be an NHL starter remains to be seen.
