Thunder Bay native Carter Hutton is looking forward to being back in the city once he’s allowed to come back to Canada.

The 35-year-old netminder lives in the city in the off-season and is an unrestricted free agent, which means he can either re-sign with the Buffalo Sabres or he can field an offer from another NHL team.

“We’re not too sure what’s going to happen,” Hutton said in an interview from his home in Buffalo. “It’s kind of a weird year, with everything getting pushed back. We have a few options but as of right now we’re waiting to see how things play out in the next little bit.”

Hutton appeared in goal for 13 games with the Sabres during the 2020/2021 season, compiling a 1-10-1 record to go along with a 3.47 goals against average and a .886 save percentage.

Hutton added this year was a learning experience, but was grateful to be able to play.

“I think the biggest thing during this pandemic playing in the NHL is you appreciate how well we had it when day-to-day living was normal,” said Hutton. “The protocols and mandates that we had to live with during the season definitely added to the schedule and made it a bit more taxing. However, those are things that everyone had to deal with in different ways.”

The NHLer and his wife are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, noting that they were able to get immunized because they were in the United States on Temporary Working Visas.

Hutton will be the host for the Hometown Heroes Charity Golf Classic at the Fort William Country Club, August 5.

For more on the event click here