Canadiens’ Lane Hutson named NHL’s rookie of the month for March
The Montreal Canadiens defenceman was named rookie of the month after a registering 15 points in 14 games helping his team remain in the wild-card hunt in the Eastern Conference.
Lane Hutson continues to be recognized for a stellar rookie campaign.
The Montreal Canadiens defenceman was named rookie of the month after a registering 15 points in 14 games helping his team remain in the wild-card hunt in the Eastern Conference.
Hutson, 20, beat out Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers and Cutter Gauthier of the Anaheim Ducks, and the San Jose Sharks duo of Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini for the award.
Only Hutson and Michkov have earned multiple rookie of the month awards this season. The last rookie defenceman to be honoured multiple times in a season was Nicklas Lidstrom back in 1991-92.
Hutson is also the first Canadiens player to receive the honour multiple times since Kjell Dahlin in 1985-86.
Hutson, Montreal’s second-round selection in 2022, led all rookie in average ice time (23:22), power-play assists (six) and was tied for thid in even-strength points (nine).
The Holland, Mich., native leads all rookies, forwards and defencemen with five goals and 59 points in 73 games this season. He is also the first rookie defenceman with at least 59 points in a season since Nicklas Lidstrom.
With 54 assists this season, Hutson is looking to surpass Chris Chelios’ mark for helpers by a Canadiens rookie defenceman. He is six assists away Larry Murphy’s record for assists in a season by a rookie defenceman.
