Lane Hutson, the rising star of the Montreal Canadiens, has become the talk of the NHL as he sets the record for most consecutive games with points by a rookie. Hailing from Boston University, Hutson, who previously played only limited games during his college career, now relishes the daily grind of professional hockey. “For me it’s a dream come true to have it every day and I’m definitely not taking it for granted,” Hutson expressed joyfully.
Hutson's remarkable start to the NHL season crystallized after he achieved this record on December 17, 2024, during his rookie campaign. Under the guidance of head coach Martin St. Louis, who knows well what it takes to excel at the highest levels of play, Hutson has carved out his niche. St. Louis, who holds the Hall of Fame title himself, remarked on the fundamental need for passion among players. “Sometimes you got to be careful because it can consume you as well. But if you want to accomplish great things... you can’t forget your passion,” he noted. It’s clear St. Louis has recognized the spark within Hutson and has afforded him the freedom to express it on the rink.
Before becoming one of the standout rookies this season, Lane Hutson spent two years at Boston University, where he tallied fewer than 40 games per season due to the NCAA schedule. Now, the rookie finds himself flourishing beyond expectations. His passion and effort have helped rank him third among all NHL rookies, boasting impressive numbers of 1 goal and 19 assists over 30 games. The only players surpassing him are forwards Matvei Michkov of Philadelphia and Macklin Celebrini of San Jose.
Hutson's first NHL goal came during a game against the Winnipeg Jets, one of the milestones he had long aspired to achieve. The celebration from his teammates—especially from coach St. Louis—signaled not only the importance of the moment but also the respect and affection Hutson has earned within the squad. “I was just hoping it would happen and it did,” he recounted. After receiving the puck from Matheson, who was the first to reach the net after the goal, the camaraderie among players was palpable.
Mike Matheson, Hutson's partner on the Canadiens’ top defense pairing, shared insight about their teamwork: “I think both of us just love hockey... We both like to have the puck and possess it.” Their connection is evident on the ice, with Matheson highlighting how they complement each other’s style of play, even maintaining strong defensive discipline. Hutson echoed this sentiment, expressing admiration for Matheson’s skill and communication on the ice.
Despite his achievements, Hutson faces scrutiny due to his relatively small stature, standing 5-foot-9 and weighing 162 pounds. Critics have pointed to his minus-14 rating, but as St. Louis pointed out, Hutson is often tasked with logging significant ice time against opposing number one lines. Averaging 22:48 minutes per game, he shoulders responsibilities beyond what many expected. Hutson's defensive play has been commendable, and his abilities to adapt will only benefit his growth as he navigates through this demanding league.
Hutson remains humble as he reflects on his early success. “I mean, you never really know what to expect... Just trying to be a different player a month from now,” he said. His ability to iterate on his skills serves as both motivation and challenge for the young player. The Montreal fanbase is excited to have such talent and passion on their team, embodying what it means to be part of this storied franchise.
Looking forward, Hutson aims to build on his performance, emphasizing the need for continual improvement. “It’s important to have [a good shot],” he stated, acknowledging the necessity of becoming a shooting threat on the ice. Fellow players and coaching staff remain upbeat about his potential, which promises to keep Canadiens fans intrigued as they watch Hutson’s career blossom.
