THUNDER BAY – A rainy start to the day wasn’t going to dampen Carter Hutton’s spirits.
The St. Louis Blues netminder, returning for the second year as the host of the Hometown Heroes Children’s Charity Golf Classic in support of the George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation, said he looks forward to giving back to the community during the offseason.
“I think for all of us Thunder Bay athletes we’re very fortunate to have grown up here and be raised here. I know summer is short but these are big, important moments in our lives,” Hutton said before teeing off at the Fort William Country Club on a cool, wet Thursday morning.
“It keeps you very humble and knowing how fortunate we are to get to play hockey and do what we do for a living. Giving our time and helping raise money is so important to us.”
Last year’s edition of the tournament, which marked the changing of the guard as Hutton took over responsibility of the event from close friend Patrick Sharp, raised $108,000 for the foundation.
Hutton, along with St. Louis Blues teammate Robert Bortuzzo and two-time Stanley Cup champion Matt Murray, visited the children’s centre on Wednesday for their Family Fun Fair.
“We get to see the kids and then you get to see where the money these sponsors raise goes and who it affects. I think it was a really important day to us,” Hutton said.
“You get to see these kids year in and year out and then you see the improvements they make at the centre and how it changes their life and impacts the whole family. I think for me that’s something definitely that hits home. I have some close friends who have had children go to the centre and it’s made a big impact on their life."
In addition to Bortuzzo and Murray, Hutton was joined on the links by Ottawa Senators forward Tom Pyatt and New Jersey Devils goaltender prospect Mackenize Blackwood, who previously played for Team Canada in the world juniors.
Steve MacDonald, executive director of the George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation, said having multiple professional hockey players involved in the tournament heightens the profile of the event.
“Part of the funds this year are going to go towards our No Child Should Wait initiative, which bridges the gap in services for the children on the waitlist, upwards of 400 children at times,” MacDonald said.
With the trio of Hutton and Murray already establishing themselves in the NHL and Blackwood on his way, Thunder Bay is well represented in between the pipes.
The 31-year-old Hutton said it’s important for them to mentor the next generation of goalies.
“I think you’re learning the right things at the grassroots age and building from there,” Hutton said. “I think for us, the best thing we can do when we’re back skating and seeing young goalies is letting them pick our brains a bit and helping out the best we can.”
