The Montreal Canadiens announced that defenseman Lane Hutson has won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie for the 2024-25 season.
Hutson beat out Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf and San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini for the honor. The Professional Hockey Writers Association votes on the award at the end of the regular season.
“It’s never really been on my mind. Even now, I don’t think it’ll sink in. I think I’m just fortunate that I get to play for the Montreal Canadiens, just do what I do, do what I love every day. Kind of taking it day by day. I try not to look too much into it.”
He added, "It’s cool. It’s a huge honor. I’m happy about it. I just enjoy playing hockey. … It’s just a plus."
Hutson led all rookies with 60 assists and 66 points in 82 games this season.
The 21-year-old helped guide the Canadiens to a surprise playoff berth. His production puts him among elite company for first-year defensemen.
Only three defensemen have recorded more points in their rookie seasons: Larry Murphy (76), Brian Leetch (71), and Gary Suter (68). Phil Housley also reached 66 points as a rookie.
Hutson became the 10th first-year defenseman to hit the 60-point mark. He’s the first to accomplish this since Nicklas Lidstrom in 1991-92.
His 60 assists make him just the second rookie defenseman to reach that plateau. Murphy was the first, doing so in 1980-81.
The numbers were enough to rewrite Montreal’s record books. Hutson beat Chris Chelios’ mark for most points by a rookie defenseman in franchise history.
No Canadiens player has ever recorded more assists in their first season.
Among all NHL defensemen this season, Hutson tied Tampa Bay’s Victor Hedman for sixth-most points. His 60 assists matched Vancouver captain Quinn Hughes for second-most, trailing only Colorado’s Cale Makar (62).
Hutson is the first Canadiens player to win the Calder Trophy since Ken Dryden in 1972.
Celebrini, the first overall pick at last summer’s draft, ranked second among all rookies in both goals (25) and assists (38). He missed 12 games near the start of the season with a hip injury.
Wolf nearly carried the Flames into the postseason. He posted a 29-16-8 record with a .910 save percentage and 2.64 goals-against average across 53 starts.
