There was a time when Hutton was a well-regarded forward prospect. He was rangy, good with the puck and had a nose for the net.

By age 14, however, Hutton felt his hockey future was on defense. The problem was, upon joining Kemptville of the Central Canada Hockey League, the defense pairings were set. Hutton, playing left wing, had a 16-goal, 34-point season and was named assistant captain for the following season.

The forward-turned-defenseman-turned-forward was happy to be shifted back to defense.

Hutton was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round (No. 147) of the 2012 NHL Draft but instead enrolled at the University of Maine. In his sophomore season, he scored 15 goals and 29 points and made Hockey East's First All-Star Team.

Following his junior season, Hutton signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Canucks and joined Utica of the American Hockey League for its final four games of 2014-15.

Hutton was expected to return to Utica, but his poise and potential impressed the Canucks enough that he landed a spot on their roster out of training camp. In 2015-16 Hutton played 75 games and averaged 19:52 of ice time per game, significant minutes for a rookie, while striking a nice partnership with Erik Gudbranson.

Hutton made his NHL debut - and scored his first NHL point, with an assist - on Oct. 7, 2015, in a 5-1 win against the Calgary Flames, and scored his first NHL goal Jan. 17, 2016, in a 2-1 shootout victory against the New York Islanders.

Following his rookie season, Hutton represented Canada at the 2016 World Championship and won a gold medal. He also won a silver medal at the 2011 World Junior Championship.

Hutton signed with the Vegas Golden Knights as free agent Oct. 28, 2021, and a two-year, $1.95 million contract Dec. 22, 2023. He made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut in 2023, playing two games for the Golden Knights on their run to the Stanley Cup.