Montreal Canadiens rookie Lane Hutson has caught many eyes this season, and NCAA East Division officials recognized him Monday by including him among the finalists for Player and Rookie of the Year.
• Also read: The CH welcomes the Stanley Cup winner
• Also read: Disaster for the senators?
The 19-year-old defenseman, the Habs’ second-round pick, who was 62nd overall in the National Hockey League (NHL) draft last year, was playing his first season with the Boston University Terriers. In 34 games, he recorded 12 goals and 32 assists for 44 points while boasting a +23 difference. The American also represented his country at the recent World Youth Championship, recording one goal and three assists in seven games. The USA also took the bronze medal.
For the title of hockey player par excellence, Hutson will primarily compete with Quebec goaltender Devon Levi, who played with the Northeastern Huskies. He was selected in the seventh round by the Florida Panthers in 2020 and entered the Buffalo Sabers organization path in a trade with Sam Reinhart the following year.
The other nominee for the award is Alex Jefferies, a 2020 New York Islanders fourth-round pick who plays for the Merrimack College Warriors. Fighting for the top rookie award, Cutter Gauthier (Philadelphia Flyers) and Matthew Wood (undrafted in the NHL) play with the Boston College Eagles and Connecticut Huskies, respectively.