MONTREAL – The remarkable saucer pass that signaled Lane Hutson`s rookie-of-the-year candidacy showcased his distinctive and seemingly unmatched skill level from September through May.
When we witnessed Hutson make that play during one of the initial training camp scrimmages, it felt like his “Hello, world” moment, much like Tiger Woods` famous introduction. While we don`t believe Hutson intended to explicitly signal his potential to be the first member of the Canadiens organization to win the Calder Trophy since Ken Dryden in 1972, it certainly had that impact.
Everything else we observed from the 21-year-old subsequently explained why he garnered 165 out of 191 first-place votes for the award from the Professional Hockey Writers Association.
On Tuesday, approximately a week and a half after being presented with the Calder by family, friends, and the NHL during a surprise event in his home state of Illinois, Hutson participated in a virtual press conference from a dressing room in a Boston arena to discuss the accolade.
The setting was quite appropriate for a player who appears most at ease when he is at the rink.
On this specific occasion, he was there for Bauer Hockey`s annual combine, primarily, in his own words, to “try out some new skates, sticks.”
However, nearly every other day over the past year, Hutson was at the arena diligently refining the craft that allowed him to achieve a historic debut season in the NHL.
With 60 assists, he equaled Larry Murphy`s record for the most assists by a rookie defenseman in NHL history. His total of 66 points places him third all-time among rookie blueliners, trailing only Murphy and Gary Suter.
Tristan Blackwood