Lane Hutson wins Calder Trophy as league's best rookie

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie during the 2024-25 season, the league announced Tuesday.

Hutson beat out Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf and San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini for the honor.

"It's never really been on my mind," Hutson said of winning the Calder. "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."

The Professional Hockey Writers Association votes on the award at the end of the regular season. Here's how the final poll shook out:

Hutson led all rookies with 60 assists and 66 points in 82 games, helping guide the Canadiens to a surprise playoff berth.

Only Larry Murphy (76), Brian Leetch (71), and Gary Suter (68) put up more points than Hutson as defensemen in their rookie seasons, while Phil Housley also recorded 66 points.

Hutson became the 10th first-year rearguard to hit the 60-point mark and first since Nicklas Lidstrom in 1991-92. He's also the second rookie blue-liner to reach the 60-assist plateau, joining Murphy, who accomplished the feat in 1980-81.

His stats were enough to propel him to the top of some of Montreal's record books. He beat Chris Chelios' mark for the most points by a rookie defenseman in franchise history, and no Canadiens player has ever recorded more assists in their first season.

The 21-year-old tied Tampa Bay Lightning veteran Victor Hedman for the sixth-most points by a defenseman this season and matched Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes for the second-most assists, trailing only Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar (62).

Hutson is the first Canadiens player to take home 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 helpers (38) despite missing 12 games near the start of the season with a hip injury.

Wolf nearly propelled the Flames into the postseason with a 29-16-8 record, .910 save percentage, and 2.64 goals against average across 53 starts.