Lane Hutson

Lane Hutson
Hutson with Team USA in 2023
Born	(2004-02-14) February 14, 2004 (age 20) Holland, Michigan, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	162 lb (73 kg; 11 st 8 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Left
NHL team	Montreal Canadiens
National team	United States
NHL draft	62nd overall, 2022 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	2023–present

Lane Hutson (born February 14, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 62nd overall, by the Canadiens in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

Early years

Hutson first joined USA Hockey's National Team Development Program (USNTDP) for the 2020–21 season, enjoying success at that level. The USNTDP strength and conditioning staff worked to address his diminutive frame, whereas he would gain ten pounds between joining the program and the summer of 2022. ^[1] Over the course of his first professional draft-eligible season, Hutson became a subject of considerable debate among scouts and evaluators with respect to his suitability for the National Hockey League (NHL). Being only 5'8" and 150lbs at the time of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, both figures uncommon among NHL defencemen at the time, many believed he would be unable to translate to the professional game effectively, despite widespread praise for his skill and hockey intelligence. ^[2] Sportsnet's draft expert remarked "if Hutson was 5-foot-10 today, he would be projected to go inside the top 15 picks of this draft." ^[1]

Seeking to allay concerns with respect to his size, Hutson arrived at the NHL scouting combine with an endocrinologist report indicating "his bone age is delayed relative to his biological age, which means his frame still has more than a full year of additional bone growth to go." ^[1] At the foregoing draft held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Hutson received the E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence, awarded by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau to the player who "best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism." ^[3] He was ultimately selected in the second round, 62nd overall, by the host Canadiens. ^[4]

Collegiate career

Hutson committed to play collegiately for Boston University (BU) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) beginning in the 2022–23 season. ^[5] During his freshman year, he recorded nine goals and a league-high 25 assists in 24 Hockey East games, becoming the first defenseman to ever lead the conference in scoring. Following an outstanding season, he was named a unanimous addition to both the All-Hockey East First Team and All-Hockey East Rookie Team. Hutson was also named Hockey East Rookie of the Year, Hockey East Scoring Champion and runner-up for Hockey East Player of the Year. He became the third defenseman to be named Hockey East Rookie of the Year, and the first since Ian Moran in 1992. ^[6] He was also presented the Walter Brown Award given to the best American-born Division I men's college hockey player in New England, becoming just the second freshman to win said award since its establishment in 1953, and the first since Brian Leetch in 1987. ^[7]

During the championship game of the 2023 Hockey East men's ice hockey tournament, Hutston scored two goals, including the game-winning goal in overtime to help BU win the tournament, and receive an automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament. ^[8] He was subsequently named to the Hockey East All-Tournament Team and Tournament MVP. ^[9] With a goal during the regional semifinals of the NCAA Tournament against Western Michigan, Hutson surpassed Brian Leetch as the highest-scoring freshman in Hockey East history, a record set in 1987. ^[10]

Returning to BU for the 2023–24 season, Hutson scored his first collegiate hat trick in a November 4 game against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. ^[11]

Professional

Following BU's overtime defeat to Denver during the 2024 Frozen Four, ^[12] Hutson signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Canadiens on April 12, 2024. ^[13] He then made his NHL debut shortly thereafter on April 15 in a 5–4 overtime loss versus the Detroit Red Wings, registering an assist. ^[14]

International play

Medal record
Representing   United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	2024 Sweden
	2023 Canada
World U18 Championships
	2022 Germany
Winter Youth Olympics
	2020 Lausanne

Hutson at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics

Hutson first represented the United States internationally at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics, where he recorded one goal and one assist in four games, and a silver medal. ^[15]

The following year, Hutson was named to Team USA for the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded five assists in five games. ^[16] He rejoined the team for the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, and recorded eight assists in six games, and won a silver medal. Hutson was subsequently named the directorate award winner as the tournament's top defenseman, and also part of the media all-star team. ^[17]

On December 12, 2022, Hutson was named to the national junior team to compete at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. ^[18] He recorded one goal and three assists in seven games and won a bronze medal. ^[19] Later the same year, he was part of the national senior team at the 2023 IIHF World Championship, ^[20] registering two goals and four assists in nine games. Team USA reached the bronze medal game, but were defeated by Latvia. ^[21]

On December 16, 2023, Hutson was again named to Team USA's roster to compete at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. ^[22] Serving as an alternate captain, he played extensive minutes in the team's deep run at the championship, including a cumulative 52 minutes over consecutive days in the semifinal and championship games; the latter which saw the Americans defeat Sweden for the gold medal. ^[23] He skated on the top defensive pairing with Ryan Chesley. ^[24] Hutson was subsequently named to the media's All-Star Team for the tournament. ^[25]

Personal life

Hutson was born in Holland, Michigan to parents Rob and Julie, and grew up in the Chicago suburb of North Barrington, Illinois. ^[26] He has three brothers: Quinn, Cole and Lars, the former two whom play college ice hockey at Boston University. ^[27]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2020–21	U.S. National Development Team	USHL		39	4	15	19	16		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	U.S. National Development Team	USHL		60	10	53	63	51		—	—	—	—	—
2022–23	Boston University	HE		39	15	33	48	26		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Boston University	HE		38	15	34	49	24		—	—	—	—	—
2023–24	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		2	0	2	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				2	0	2	2	0		—	—	—	—	—

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2021	United States	U18	5th		5	0	5	5	0
2022	United States	U18			6	0	8	8	4
2023	United States	WJC			7	1	3	4	2
2023	United States	WC	4th		9	2	4	6	2
2024	United States	WJC			7	0	6	6	14
Junior totals					25	1	22	23	20
Senior totals					9	2	4	6	2

Awards and honors

Award	Year	Ref
College
Hockey East Rookie of the Year	2023	[28]
Hockey East Scoring Champion	2023
Hockey East Three-Stars Award	2023
All-Hockey East First Team	2023, 2024	[29] [30]
All-Hockey East Rookie Team	2023
All-USCHO Second Team	2023	[31]
Walter Brown Award	2023	[32]
Hockey East All-Tournament Team	2023, 2024	[33] [34]
William Flynn Tournament Most Valuable Player	2023	[35]
AHCA East First Team All-American	2023, 2024	[36] [37]
New England Best Defenceman	2023, 2024	[38]
New England D1 All-Stars	2023, 2024	[39]
New England Most Valuable Player	2023	[40]
New England Rookie of the Year	2023	[41]
All-USCHO First Team	2024	[42]
NHL
E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence	2022	[3]
International
World U18 Championship Best Defenceman	2022	[17]
World U18 Championship Media All-Star Team	2022	[17]
World Junior Championship Media All-Star Team	2024	[25]

References

1. Johnston, Mike (July 2, 2022). "Lane Hutson a skilled standout among stacked 2022 USNTDP prospect class". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
2. Wheeler, Scott (March 11, 2022). "Who is Lane Hutson, the 'unicorn' 5-foot-8 defenseman and second-round pick?". The Athletic . Retrieved March 31, 2023.
3. Morreale, Mike (June 20, 2022). "Hutson receives E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence". NHL.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
4. MacMillan, Ken (July 7, 2022). "Montreal Canadiens Select Super Skilled Lane Hutson 62nd Overall". A Winning Habit. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
5. "Men's Ice Hockey Announces Class of 2026". Boston University Athletics. August 16, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
6. "Hutson Named HE Rookie of the Year, Pandolfo Tabbed as Coach of the Year". Boston University Athletics. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
7. Weitzer, Nate (March 30, 2023). "Boston University defenseman Lane Hutson becomes the second freshman in 71 years to win Walter Brown Award". The Boston Globe . Retrieved March 31, 2023.
8. Mahoney, Andrew (March 18, 2023). "Freshman Lane Hutson scores Boston University another Hockey East championship with overtime goal". The Boston Globe . Retrieved March 31, 2023.
9. "Hutson Lifts No. 5 Terriers to 10th Hockey East Crown in Overtime Thriller". Boston University Athletics. March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
10. "Boston University Downs Western Michigan, 5-1, In Opening Game Of NCAA Tournament". Hockey East. March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
11. "Hutson Named Hockey East Player of the Week". Boston University Athletics. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
12. Moore, Charles (April 11, 2024). "BU Falls 2-1 in Overtime in 2024 NCAA Semifinal". BU Today . Retrieved April 12, 2024.
13. "Three-year, entry-level contract for Lane Hutson". Montreal Canadiens. April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024– via NHL.com.
14. "MTL@DET: Game recap". Montreal Canadiens. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2024– via NHL.com.
15. Scheder-Bieschin, Gabrielle (January 22, 2020). "Men's Ice Hockey Team Secures Silver At Youth Olympic Games". TeamUSA.org. Archived from the original on March 17, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
16. Spiegel, Jackie (April 26, 2021). "IIHF U18 Men's World Championship 2021: Rosters, NHL draft status, jersey numbers for all 10 teams". The Sporting News . Retrieved March 31, 2023.
17. "Lane Hutson Named 2022 EJ McGuire Award of Excellence Winner". USAHockeyNTDP.com. June 20, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
18. Kimelman, Adam (December 12, 2022). "2023 World Junior Championship rosters". NHL.com. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
19. "U.S. Wins Bronze at World Juniors With Thrilling 8-7 OT Victory Over Sweden". USAHockey.com. January 5, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
20. Pronman, Corey; Gentille, Sean (May 4, 2023). "Team USA announces men's roster for 2023 IIHF World Championship: Who made the cut?". The Athletic . Retrieved November 7, 2023.
21. Aykroyd, Lucas (May 28, 2023). "Latvia wins historic bronze in OT". IIHF.com. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
22. Morreale, Mike G. (December 16, 2023). "Gauthier leads United States 2024 World Junior roster". NHL.com. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
23. "U.S. beats host Sweden to win World Juniors gold". Sportsnet.ca. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
24. Pronman, Corey (January 5, 2024). "2024 World Juniors standouts and disappointments: Lekkerimaki is MVP, Canada's forwards underwhelm". The Athletic . Retrieved January 5, 2024.
25. Podnieks, Andrew (January 5, 2024). "Lekkerimaki named MVP". IIHF.com. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
26. "Hutson Signs Entry-Level Contract with Montreal Canadiens". Boston University Athletics. April 16, 2024.
27. "Lane Hutson Bio". Boston University Athletics. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
28. "Hockey East Names 2022-23 Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team". Hockey East. March 8, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
29. "Hockey East Names 2022-23 Men's All-Star Teams". Hockey East. March 10, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
30. "Hockey East Names 2023-24 Men's All-Star Teams". Hockey East. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
31. "USCHO.com announces trio of men's All-USCHO teams for 2022-23 college hockey season". USCHO.com. April 13, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
32. "Hutson Wins Walter Brown Award". Boston University Athletics. March 30, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
33. "Boston University Tops Merrimack, 3-2 In Overtime, To Claim Hockey East Tournament Title". Hockey East. March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
34. "Men's Weekly Release: Boston College Wins Hockey East Tournament". Hockey East. March 26, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
35. "Bill Flynn Award (Hockey East Tournament MVP)". Hockey East. Retrieved July 18, 2024.
36. "2022-23 Men's CCM Hockey Division I All-Americans". American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
37. "2023-24 Men's CCM Hockey Division I All-Americans". American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
38. "Awards - NCAA (New England) Best Defenceman". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
39. "Awards - NCAA (New England) D1 All-Stars". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
40. "Awards - NCAA (New England) Most Valuable Player". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved July 14, 2024.
41. "Awards - NCAA (New England) Rookie of the Year". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
42. "USCHO.com announces trio of all-USCHO men's NCAA Division I hockey teams for 2023-24 season". USCHO.com. April 23, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Devon Levi	Hockey East Rookie of the Year 2022–23	Succeeded by Macklin Celebrini
Preceded by Devon Levi	Hockey East Three-Stars Award 2022–23	Succeeded by Macklin Celebrini
Preceded by Bobby Trivigno	Hockey East Scoring Champion 2022–23	Succeeded by Macklin Celebrini
Preceded by Bobby Trivigno	Hockey East Tournament MVP 2023	Succeeded by Will Smith