Lane Hutson Wins Calder Trophy in Heartwarming Surprise Celebration
Imagine this—you walk into what you think is just a casual gathering with friends and family. But instead, you’re met with the NHL’s Calder Memorial Trophy, a room full of applause, and a moment that marks the pinnacle of your rookie year. That’s exactly what happened to 21-year-old Lane Hutson, standout defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens, when his parents orchestrated an unforgettable surprise party to reveal he had won the NHL's Rookie of the Year honors.
Held at The Wild Onion Pub & Brewery in Lake Barrington, Illinois, the celebration started out as a simple nod to Hutson’s Calder Trophy finalist status. What the young star didn’t know was that his parents had another plan in motion—one that included none other than Phil Pritchard from the Hockey Hall of Fame showing up with the Calder Trophy in hand. While Lane might not love surprises, this one he’ll likely cherish forever.
Hutson’s performance this season didn’t just make him a finalist—it made him the clear frontrunner. He led all rookies in assists (60), total points (66), and average ice time per game (22:44). And he wasn’t just the best among rookies; he etched his name into history books by breaking a Canadiens record for rookie defenseman points, surpassing the legendary Chris Chelios.
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Selected 62nd overall in the 2022 NHL Draft, Hutson has emerged as a critical player not only for the Canadiens but for the league at large. His 60 assists tie the NHL rookie defenseman record, and his total point tally sits behind only a handful of all-time greats like Brian Leetch and Gary Suter. Remarkably, he also logged nearly 500 more minutes on ice than any other rookie, and led in both power-play assists and points.
Hutson’s impact helped the Canadiens secure a wild-card playoff berth—something fans in Montreal have been waiting for since 2021. Out of 191 possible first-place votes, Hutson earned 165, leaving other finalists like Calgary’s Dustin Wolf and San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini trailing significantly.
This marks the first time a Canadiens player has won the Calder since Ken Dryden in 1972. That’s more than five decades ago, putting Hutson in elite company with names like Laperriere, Geoffrion, and Rousseau.
As Hutson humbly said during the celebration, “To win rookie of the year… I just feel really fortunate. I wouldn’t be here without the great support I have—friends, family, teammates, and coaches.”
Whether or not he’s a fan of surprises, Lane Hutson’s story is one of talent, hard work, and the kind of genuine gratitude that makes you root for him even more. This was more than just a trophy—it was a moment of recognition, of legacy, and of shared joy. One thing’s for sure: the future of the Canadiens' blue line looks very, very bright.
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