Caufield invited to U.S. orientation camp, Hutson left out

Cole Caufield (13) of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his goal against the Washington Capitals with teammates Lane Hutson (48) and Juraj Slafkovsky (20) during the second period of a Stanley Cup playoff game in Montreal on Sunday, April 27, 2025. (The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi)

Montreal Canadiens forward Cole Caufield has been invited to the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey orientation camp ahead of the Milan-Cortina Games, USA Hockey announced Tuesday.

Caufield is among 44 players invited to the camp, which will be held Aug. 26 and 27 in Plymouth, Mich.

Canadiens star defenceman Lane Hutson was not included on the list.

“This is largely an administrative and team-building event and does not include any formal on-ice activity or public component,” USA Hockey said in a news release.

In addition to Caufield, players such as Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes are among those invited.

Caufield scored 37 goals and added 33 assists in 82 games with Montreal last season.

He also had three goals and one assist in five playoff games in 2024–25.

Hutson won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year last season after recording six goals and 60 assists in 82 games. He added five assists in five playoff games.

He became the first Canadiens player to win the Calder since goaltender Ken Dryden in 1972.

All 23 players who represented the U.S. at the Four Nations Face-Off were invited to the orientation camp.

The final 25-man roster for the Olympics is expected to be unveiled in early January 2026.

The men’s Olympic hockey tournament will run from Feb. 11 to 22, 2026.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 19, 2024.