NYIHN Exclusive: One on One with Grant Hutton

Grant Hutton signed with the New York Islanders Organization after captaining the Miami (Ohio) University hockey team at the tail end of the 2018-19 campaign. Hutton was a 24-year-old fighting for his chances to make the NHL. Since then, Hutton has earned his place as a stalwart in Bridgeport as a leader for that group while becoming a call-up for the Islanders in a pinch.

At age 29, Hutton finds himself back in the NHL and impressing head coach Patrick Roy. Hutton comes off what Roy described as a “very strong camp. He made it hard for us (to send him down).” Less than a month later, the Islanders have lost Adam Pelech, Mike Reilly, and Alexander Romanov to injuries. The team desperately needs stability, and that’s where the steady Hutton has come in.

Roy also said of Hutton, “It was easy for (Hutton). He adjusts so fast up here.”

NYI Hockey Now got to talk to Hutton after practice today and after the game in Madison Square Garden yesterday about his experiences and how he’s used them to learn and grow more, even at 29 years old.

Lightly Edited for Clarity

Postgame Chat:

Q- It’s your first NHL game in a year against a tough team to have to go up against. How’d you feel when it went for you?

A- Yeah, it felt pretty good, honestly; obviously, I got to play a couple of games preseason, including one in this building, that last one being with the majority of the group, guys that are in the lineup every night. I’m familiar with many of these guys, both those who came from Bridgeport and those who have been here for years, so it’s an easy room to walk into. I felt all right today, I felt I played pretty well; I just wish the outcome was a little different.

Q- You were out there for the five-on-three kill and other big moments in this game. Is that an easy transition coming up and jumping right into? Are you running similar systems in Bridgeport?

A- Yeah, I think it’s pretty similar. The biggest thing is just the skill level from the top guys in the top units in the NHL, so we were able to kill that five on three off. I know it was a short five-on-three, but that was a confidence boost. But we gave one up on the five-on-four following that. I think special teams tonight for us hurt us a little bit.

Q- When four righties are in the lineup, how does that affect the approach when all of you guys have to cover different holes?

A- Yeah, I mean, next man up, right? It’s kind of cliche, but the guys have been saying it. That’s just kind of what you have to do. It doesn’t really matter, right? I mean, all the guys are comfortable playing on the left or the right side. So just got to get the job done.

Practice Chat:

Q- Guys have said it’s almost easier to have yourself amped up for that first game after a recall, but there can be a lull from first to second. Does your approach change? How do you keep yourself as amped up for the second game after a call-up?

A- The approach can’t change, in my opinion. You have to go about your business the same every day, and when you do that, it seems a bit easier to be more consistent night in and night out. So I’ve learned over the years just to approach every day the same, whether it be practice or a game. You need to come in with a professional mindset and have good attention to detail. Usually, good things stem from that.

Q- How does it almost motivate you, or what does it mean when you see Ryan Pulock play like he has? He played almost 30 minutes last night, and he’s playing offhand and stuff. What can you take away from that?

A- A lot. I mean, it’s a tough job, right? Playing 30 minutes a night? I’m familiar with it from down in Bridgeport. I know it’s not easy, so for me, I want to be able to support him. I want him to trust me when I’m on the ice with him, and I just try to be that support system that those guys need right now. Dobber, Maysie, and Puly are playing huge minutes. So, for us guys, Bolduc, Cholowski, and me, I think we’re all in the same boat, and we need to be able to contribute, help, and push this team for more wins.

Bridgeport’s Role in Development & Preparation

Q- In Bridgeport, it’s a different process, and you’re dealing with younger guys. You’re the veteran for Aidan Fulp and Travis Mitchell, and they’re only playing every other game. How do you go from being a big-time leader there to adjusting to and accepting the smaller role here?

A- Yeah, it’s definitely a challenge. That was probably my biggest struggle early on in my career when I’d get called up is being able to switch that mindset, you know, different teams are in different positions, win streaks, losing streaks, whatever it may be, sometimes you walk into the room, and it’s a totally different environment, in terms of the attitude and what’s going on there than what you are previously accustomed to, wherever you’re coming from. I think it’s a true challenge, but it kind of goes back to what we first talked about, like you have to approach every day with the same mindset. And that’s, that’s the only way I’ve been able to find success is by doing it that way.

Q- How does Rick Kowalsky (Bridgeport Islanders Head Coach) help ease the transition with his job, knowing guys are going to get called up at various points?

A- I think a big part of that is Rick and the coaching staff from Bridgeport being around those first few weeks of training camp here, right? They learned the lingo, the verbiage Patrick wants to use up here, and you want that throughout your entire organization. So when there are call-ups, no question marks, no, ‘oh, you know, we use something different down there’, but it’s the same thing, just different words, we try to keep it all the same. That way, when you do come up, you’re not confused, you’re not a deer in headlights, and you kind of have an idea of what’s going on.

It also helps that this room is so great. I’ve been saying that for years. Every time I get called up, you can go to anybody if you have questions. There are so many veteran guys in this locker room, so many leaders that you just have to ask questions; you just have to be comfortable, and these guys make you comfortable. So yeah, it’s been great.