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Nashville goalie Carter Hutton taking over from Patrick Sharp as host of George Jeffrey golf tournament

THUNDER BAY -- Carter Hutton has spent most of his NHL goaltending career in a back-up role. But when the Nashville Predators have needed him, he’s filled in quite admirably.
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Carter Hutton has been named the host of the re-branded Hometown Heroes Children’s Charity Golf Classic in support of the George Jeffrey Children's Foundation. The tournament will be held at Fort William Country Club on Aug. 4. (FILE)

THUNDER BAY -- Carter Hutton has spent most of his NHL goaltending career in a back-up role.

But when the Nashville Predators have needed him, he’s filled in quite admirably. The Thunder Bay netminder is at it again, this time in an off-the-ice role.

The 30-year-old is taking over the reins of the George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation’s annual golf tournament from fellow NHLer Patrick Sharp, who still plans to support the facility, but is unable to attend in person this summer.

Hutton, reached in Nashville on Wednesday afternoon, said he was only too willing to step in and take over as the tournament host after playing in the event last summer.

“I try to be involved as much as I can back home,” Hutton said. “With Patrick being the situation he is in now, at his life stage and not being home as much and not being back to Thunder Bay, they were just trying to find the right fit.

“They asked me and it was kind of a no-brainer. Just being able to be a part of it was a great honour for me.”

The cause is a one he didn’t hesitate to take up.

“George Jeffrey is unbelievable,” Hutton said. “What they do for kids hits home a bit. I’ve done some stuff for other charities and especially when it’s for kids, it’s something you’re very fortunate to help out with.

“I think sometimes we take it for granted all the things in life we don’t deal with, like health issues and stuff. To be able to help these kids and raise money is great.”

Under Sharp’s watch, the organization raised more than $460,000 through the tournament, which is being rebranded as the Hometown Heroes Children’s Charity Golf Classic.

Sharp, dealt to the Dallas Stars last summer after winning three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks, said it wasn’t an easy decision to walk away from the tournament.

“It was a difficult choice to move on because this tournament has been a rewarding experience to help children in this community for the past four years. I will continue to support the organization, but having the tournament hosted by Carter Hutton, a great ambassador for not only children, but for Thunder Bay, makes for a logical transition,” Sharp said.

George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation executive director Mary Anne Comuzzi said she’s thrilled to have Hutton, recently named the Nashville chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association’s Bill Masterton Trophy nominee, come on board.

“It was just a perfect fit to pass the torch to Carter Hutton, who is very involved in this community,” Comuzzi said.

“It is phenomenal the support we get from Patrick and now Carter. He said it’s a great cause and that while a few of the players may change, the caliber of the tournament doesn’t change or the direction of where the funds go for the centre. And we are very fortunate for that.”

The tournament takes place at Fort William Country Club on Aug. 4, with all proceeds going to the foundation.



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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