NEW YORK (AP) – Lane Hutson, a defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens, has been awarded the Calder Trophy for the 2024-25 NHL Rookie of the Year on Tuesday.
In his inaugural NHL season, Hutson topped the rookie scoring charts with six goals and 60 assists, helping the Canadiens make a surprising playoff return this year.
His remarkable 60 assists allowed him to tie with Larry Murphy (1980-81) for the most in a rookie season, while his total of 66 points puts him behind only Murphy, Brian Leach (1988-89), and Gary Starr (1985-86) among rookie defensemen.
Selected 62nd overall by Montreal in the 2022 NHL Draft, Hutson becomes the Canadiens’ second Calder winner in the expansion era, following goaltender Ken Dryden (1971-72).
The 21-year-old expressed his astonishment at the award during a dinner celebration attended by over 50 family and friends.
Hutson received the top selection with 165 out of 191 votes from members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf finished second in the voting, followed by San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini.
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Source: apnews.com