MONTREAL – The play that signaled the start of Lane Hutson`s award-winning rookie season was a memorable saucer pass. This skillfully lofted puck, soaring over several players, landed precisely on Emil Heineman`s stick. It was the first of many highlights throughout the season that demonstrated Hutson`s exceptional and seemingly unmatched talent from September through May.
Watching Hutson execute that pass during an early scrimmage at Montreal Canadiens training camp felt like his definitive arrival, a “Hello, world” moment akin to Tiger Woods`.
It`s unlikely Hutson intended that specific pass to send a message about his potential to be the first Canadiens player to win the Calder Trophy since Ken Dryden in 1972, but it certainly had that impact.
Everything else observed from the 21-year-old player throughout the season confirmed why he received 165 out of 191 first-place votes for the award from the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
On Tuesday, about ten days after being privately awarded the Calder surrounded by family, friends, and NHL representatives at a surprise gathering in his native Illinois, Hutson participated in a virtual press conference from a Boston arena dressing room to speak about the recognition.
Being in an arena was a suitable location for Hutson, who appears most comfortable when at the rink.
On this occasion, he was there for Bauer Hockey`s yearly combine, which he described as an opportunity to “try out some new skates, sticks.”
Throughout the rest of the past year, Hutson spent his time at the arena honing the skills that enabled him to achieve historic results in his debut NHL season.
His 60 assists tied Larry Murphy for the most by a rookie defenseman in NHL history. His 66 total points rank fourth all-time among rookie blueliners, behind only Murphy, Gary Suter, and Brian Leetch.
