Michael Hutchinson, the journeyman goaltender once with the Toronto Maple Leafs, continues his professional hockey career in 2025, albeit far from the NHL spotlight. Born on March 2, 1990, the now 35-year-old Hutchinson, after a series of moves, is currently playing for Saimaan Pallo (SaiPa) in the Finnish Liiga.

Hutchinson's journey through professional hockey has been a testament to perseverance. Drafted by the Boston Bruins in the third round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, his path to consistent NHL ice time was far from straightforward. He spent several seasons within the Bruins organization and later signed with the Winnipeg Jets in July 2013. It was with the Jets that he experienced his most successful NHL season in 2014-15, recording a 21-10-5 record with a 2.39 goals-against average (GAA) and a .914 save percentage.

His time with the Toronto Maple Leafs began in December 2018 when he was acquired to provide goalie insurance after injuries to Frederik Andersen and Garret Sparks. Hutchinson played a few games, demonstrating his ability to compete at the NHL level. He later returned to the Maple Leafs organization at the start of the 2020 season, continuing to move between the NHL team and their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.

In the recent past, Hutchinson's career has seen him move through several organizations. In July 2022, he signed with the Vegas Golden Knights. During the 2022-23 season, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He made 16 appearances for the Blue Jackets before signing a one-year, two-way contract with the Detroit Red Wings for the 2023-24 season. While with the Red Wings, he primarily played for their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Before the 2024-25 season, Hutchinson signed a professional tryout agreement with the New Jersey Devils but was later released. As an unrestricted free agent, he then signed with SaiPa in the Finnish Liiga on November 11, 2024, marking a new chapter in his hockey journey.

Throughout his NHL career, Hutchinson has played in 153 games for the Jets, Florida Panthers, Maple Leafs, Avalanche and Blue Jackets. While he may not have become a star player, he has proven to be a reliable and experienced goaltender, capable of competing at the highest level when called upon. His journey highlights the realities of professional hockey, where perseverance and adaptability are key to maintaining a long and varied career.