Lane Hutson, the Montreal Canadiens’ promising younger defenseman, has taken his first NHL season by storm. Together with his distinctive ability set, Hutson is overcoming the challenges usually confronted by undersized defenders and exhibiting why he might be a significant power for the Canadiens within the coming years. He holds onto the puck higher than most veterans, he’s shifty and dynamic, he’s acquired nice household assist, and he virtually wasn’t a Canadiens participant. Listed here are eight information you may not know in regards to the rising star.
Overcoming the “Undersized” Label with Sky-Excessive Potential
At 5-foot-9, and 162 lbs, Hutson confronted skepticism as a defenseman who was too small to make it within the NHL. Matthews Phillips — who had a cup of espresso within the NHL with Pittsburgh, Washington, and Calgary — held the title because the lightest participant within the league till he was despatched again to the AHL. That distinction now goes to Hutson.
Chosen 62nd total within the 2022 NHL Draft, he was initially questioned about whether or not his NCAA success would translate to the professionals. Regardless of early defensive hiccups, Hutson is spectacular along with his dynamic model, elite skating, and easy transition sport.
He’s extraordinarily small by NHL requirements as the typical weight is round 198 lbs, however as his defensive sport matures and he learns how you can keep away from being hit, Hutson’s capacity to command the ice and act as a “one-man breakout” machine will make his measurement much less of an element.
Main the Canadiens in Ice Time
Remarkably, Hutson is main all Canadiens gamers with a mean ice time of 23:11 per sport and ranks within the high 20 for even-strength minutes amongst NHL defensemen. Regardless of being solely 20 years previous, he has proven that he can deal with the pressures of heavy minutes, typically logging over half-hour in a single sport, such because the Canadiens’ latest match in opposition to the Kings.
This isn’t simply because he can produce factors (5 assists in 10 video games) however as a result of the Canadiens are beginning to see him as their high possibility on the blue line. Regardless of how a lot he skates round all three zones, he not often appears to tire. He’s making an early case for Calder Trophy consideration.
Projecting an Award-Successful Profession, In accordance with EA Sports activities
EA Sports activities’ simulations consider Hutson’s future is extraordinarily shiny. As identified by Karine Hains of The Hockey Information, Hutson is projected to amass 1,384 factors (339 objectives) over a prolonged NHL profession and win a number of awards, together with three Norris Trophies, one Hart Trophy, and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
The simulation additionally envisions Hutson lifting the Stanley Cup twice, probably establishing him as one of many league’s high defensemen traditionally. These are, in fact, simply projections.
Medal-Successful World Junior Championships
Hutson has a formidable document representing the USA on the World Junior Championships, amassing a medal in three consecutive tournaments. After serving to his staff safe silver with eight assists in six video games, he moved on to the U20 competitors, the place he netted his first purpose and earned a bronze medal in 2023, adopted by a gold medal in 2024.
In 2024, Hutson tallied six assists with a +8 ranking, averaging 23:58 of ice time throughout seven video games for Staff USA. He earned a spot on the match’s All-Star staff. He was additionally acknowledged as certainly one of Staff USA’s high three gamers.
File-Breaking Freshman 12 months at Boston College
Earlier than becoming a member of the Canadiens, Hutson made waves at Boston College. In his freshman season (2022-23), he led his staff in scoring with 48 factors in 38 video games, turning into BU’s high point-getter as a defenseman. In 77 profession NCAA video games, Hutson scored 30 objectives and added 67 assists for 97 factors. Hutson completed second on the Terriers in whole factors, simply behind freshman and San Jose Sharks’ rookie Macklin Celebrini.
By sustaining a plus-25 ranking the primary season and a plus-14 the subsequent, Hutson established himself as one of many NCAA’s standout gamers. He’ll go down in historical past as certainly one of Boston College’s best-ever defensemen.
A part of a Hockey-Obsessed Household
Lane Hutson is the eldest of 4 boys, three of that are hockey gamers within the Huston household. He has three brothers: Quinn, Cole, and Lars, the previous two of whom play faculty ice hockey at Boston College.
His youthful brother, Cole, can be headed to the NHL, having been drafted forty third total by the Washington Capitals in 2024. Each Hutson brothers performed for the USA Nationwide Staff Growth Program (USNTDP) earlier than transferring on to Boston College.
Lane additionally invited his mom to reside with him in Montreal to assist ease his transition into the NHL. She has been key to his early success. After leaving residence at 16 to chase his hockey desires, Hutson thought it will assist to have her there to ease the problem of adjusting to each the calls for of competing on the highest degree and life in a brand new nation. In accordance with Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette, his mom has come to like residing in Montreal.
One in all Solely a Dozen Michigan-Born Gamers in Canadiens Franchise Historical past
Born in Holland, Michigan, Hutson turned the twelfth Michigan native to play for the Canadiens when he debuted in April 2024. Jeff Petry leads Michigan-born Canadiens gamers with 248 factors, whereas Hutson is already making strides to hitch that elite checklist.
Given his early success, he may quickly turn out to be the second-highest-scoring Michigan-born participant for Montreal. May he paved the way by the point all is claimed and executed? The different gamers have been James Wisniewski, Greg Pateryn, Jim Cummins, Michael McCarron, Corey Schueneman, Aaron Palushaj, Zach Redmond, Invoice Baker, Drayson Bowman, and his present teammate, Cayden Primeau.
Truth: Hutson Nearly Wasn’t a Canadiens Participant
Brett Kulak’s commerce from the Canadiens to the Edmonton Oilers almost value Montreal Lane Hutson. Whereas Kulak offered a gradual defensive presence for Edmonton, taking part in each sport and serving to them come inside one win of a Stanley Cup Last, the actual twist lay in a conditional decide.
The commerce included a second-round decide initially set for 2022, however with one essential stipulation: if the Oilers reached the Last and Duncan Keith performed top-four minutes, the decide can be pushed to 2023. The Oilers got here shut, defeating the Kings and Flames, solely to be swept by the Avalanche within the convention finals. This slim miss allowed the Canadiens to make use of the 2022 decide to pick out Hutson.
** h/t to The Hockey Information and Montreal Gazzete for a few of these information
Subsequent: Scribe: Maple Leafs’ “Excellent” Middle is Commerce Possibility from Islanders
