Lane Hutson`s impressive debut season continues to garner recognition.
The Montreal Canadiens standout defenseman has been awarded the Rookie of the Month title for March. He accumulated 15 points over 14 games, playing a key role in the Canadiens` push for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The 20-year-old Hutson was selected over fellow contenders including Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers, Cutter Gauthier of the Anaheim Ducks, and the San Jose Sharks` promising rookies Will Smith and Macklin Celebrini.
Notably, Hutson and Michkov are the only two rookies to have received the Rookie of the Month award multiple times this season. The last rookie defenseman to achieve this feat was the legendary Nicklas Lidstrom in the 1991-92 season.
Hutson also becomes the first Canadiens player to earn this monthly honor more than once since Kjell Dahlin back in 1985-86.
Montreal`s second-round pick from 2022, Hutson, showcased his dominance among rookies by leading in average ice time (23:22), power-play assists (six), and tying for third in even-strength points (nine).
Hutson tops all rookies, both forwards and defensemen, with an impressive 5 goals and 59 points across 73 games this season. He is also the first rookie defenseman to reach at least 59 points in a season since Nicklas Lidstrom.
With 54 assists this season, Hutson is on the verge of surpassing Chris Chelios` record for assists by a rookie Canadiens defenseman and is chasing Larry Murphy`s rookie defenseman assist record, needing just six more.
