A 5-foot-10 defenseman who tips the scales at around 160 pounds might sound like a long shot in today’s NHL — but Lane Hutson is making that story feel outdated. The Montreal Canadiens prospect turned heads with his offensive instincts and puck-moving ability at Boston University, earning All-American honors twice.
Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) ·
Weight: 162 lb (73 kg) ·
Position: Defenseman ·
Shoots: Left ·
NHL Team: Montreal Canadiens ·
Drafted: 2022, 62nd overall
Quick snapshot
- Drafted 62nd overall by Montreal Canadiens in 2022 (Elite Prospects (hockey database))
- Signed entry-level contract with Canadiens on April 12, 2024 (NHL.com (official league site))
- First Team All-American in 2022-23 and 2023-24 (Wikipedia (established editorial profile))
- Born February 14, 2004, in Holland, Michigan (Elite Prospects)
- Which Hutson brother will have a better NHL career is not yet determined
- The exact timeline for Hutson’s NHL debut in the 2024-2025 season
- Whether his undersized build will affect long-term NHL performance
- 2004: Born in Michigan
- 2022: Drafted by Canadiens
- 2024: Signed ELC, won Hobey Baker top-10 finalist
- 2025-26: Expected NHL debut
- Hutson will compete for a roster spot with the Canadiens in 2025 training camp
- His $70.8 million extension begins in 2026-27
| Full name | Lane Hutson |
| Date of birth | February 14, 2004 |
| Birthplace | Holland, Michigan, USA |
| Nationality | American-Canadian |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 162 lb (73 kg) |
| Position | Defenseman |
| Shoots | Left |
| NHL team | Montreal Canadiens |
| Draft | 2022, 2nd round (62nd overall) |
| College | Boston University (2022-2024) |
Is Lane Hutson in a relationship?
What is known about Lane Hutson’s partner?
Publicly available information about Lane Hutson’s romantic life is extremely limited. A single social media post from the Canadiens’ picture day in 2024 showed Hutson with a woman identified in comments as Kylie, but no verified source has confirmed her identity or the status of the relationship. The NHL draft prospect has not spoken about a girlfriend in any interview found in the research notes. Given the lack of primary-source confirmation, this detail remains unverified.
Are Lane and Cole Hutson related?
How old is Cole Hutson?
Cole Hutson was born in 2006, making him two years younger than Lane (Elite Prospects (hockey database)).
What position does Cole Hutson play?
Like his older brother, Cole Hutson is a left-shot defenseman. He was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft (third round, 76th overall). The brothers share a hockey bloodline — Lane also has other siblings named Lars and Quinn Hutson, though only Lane and Cole are NHL-drafted prospects.
The implication: The Hutson name is becoming synonymous with undersized, offensively gifted defensemen. Both brothers bring high hockey IQ and skating ability, but Lane currently has the more established resume.
Which Hutson brother is better?
Two defensemen, one draft class apart — the comparison between Lane and Cole Hutson is inevitable. A side-by-side look at their profiles reveals distinct differences.
| Attribute | Lane Hutson | Cole Hutson |
|---|---|---|
| Birth year | 2004 | 2006 |
| Height | 5’10” | 5’11” (reported) |
| Weight | 162-165 lb | ~170 lb (estimated) |
| Draft year | 2022 (2nd round, 62nd) | 2024 (3rd round, 76th) |
| NHL team | Montreal Canadiens | Washington Capitals |
| College | Boston University | Boston University (committed) |
| All-American | First Team (2023, 2024) | — |
Lane has the edge in established production: he was a Hobey Baker Top-10 finalist and back-to-back First Team All-American at BU. Cole may have more raw size, but Lane’s proven collegiate dominance gives him a clearer projection. The catch: Cole is still developing and could surpass his brother’s ceiling if he fills out and translates his skill to the pro game.
How much will Lane Hutson get paid?
Hutson’s contract situation is a two-act story. His three-year entry-level deal carries a $950,000 cap hit (PuckPedia (cap-figures database)). But the real headline came in 2025, when he signed an eight-year, $70.8 million extension starting in the 2026-27 season (NHL.com (official league site)).
| Contract phase | Years | Total value | Cap hit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level contract | 3 (2024-2026) | $2.85 million | $950,000 |
| Extension | 8 (2026-2034) | $70.8 million | $8.85 million |
The implication: Montreal is betting big on Hutson’s potential. An $8.85 million cap hit for a player who hadn’t yet played a full NHL season is aggressive — it signals the team views him as a core building block.
What is Lane Hutson’s background and playing style?
Where did Lane Hutson play college hockey?
Hutson spent two seasons with the Boston University Terriers men’s ice hockey program, both under head coach Jay Pandolfo. During that time he became one of the most productive defensemen in the NCAA.
What awards did Lane Hutson win at Boston University?
- First Team All-American in 2022-23 and 2023-24 (Wikipedia (established editorial profile))
- Hobey Baker Award Top-10 Finalist (2023-24) (NHL.com (official league site))
- Hockey East All-Star (both seasons)
His playing style blends elite edge work, quick outlet passes, and a knack for jumping into the rush. Scouts consistently cite his hockey sense as his best asset, compensating for his lack of prototypical NHL defenseman size.
Hutson’s path from a 5’10” second-round pick to a $70.8 million contract is rewriting the script on what an NHL defenseman can look like. His success will hinge on whether his offensive production can offset defensive limitations at the highest level.
Lane Hutson timeline
- — Lane Hutson born in Holland, Michigan
- — Played for USA Hockey National Team Development Program (U17, U18)
- — Drafted 62nd overall by Montreal Canadiens
- — Played for Boston University Terriers; named First-Team All-American both years
- — Signed entry-level contract with Montreal Canadiens
- — Expected NHL debut with Canadiens
What we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Hutson is an American-Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens
- He was drafted 62nd overall in the 2022 NHL entry draft
- He signed an entry-level contract with the Canadiens on April 12, 2024
- He and Cole Hutson are brothers; Cole was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2024
- Hutson was a First Team All-American in 2022-23 and 2023-24
What’s unclear
- Which Hutson brother will ultimately have a better NHL career is not yet determined
- The exact timeline for Hutson’s NHL debut in the 2024-2025 season remains uncertain
- Whether his undersized build will affect his long-term NHL performance is unknown
“Lane has the hockey sense and offensive instincts that you can’t teach. His ability to see the ice and make plays from the blueline is elite.”
— Kent Hughes, Montreal Canadiens general manager (reportedly, in draft commentary)
“He was a game-changer for us every night. His confidence with the puck and his skating allow him to control the pace of play.”
— Jay Pandolfo, Boston University head coach (reportedly, in season interviews)
The story of Lane Hutson is still being written. For Montreal Canadiens fans, the trade-off is clear: bet on offensive dynamism over traditional size and hope the defensive game catches up. For the league, Hutson represents a test case — can a 5’10” defenseman with elite smarts become a franchise cornerstone? His $70.8 million contract says the Canadiens believe the answer is yes.
Comparing Lane Hutson’s rookie season to that of veteran defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic provides useful perspective on how young defensemen adapt to the NHL.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lane Hutson signed to an NHL contract?
Yes, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens on April 12, 2024. In 2025, an eight-year, $70.8 million extension was announced.
What team does Lane Hutson play for?
He is a member of the Montreal Canadiens organization.
How old is Lane Hutson?
Born February 14, 2004, he is 21 years old as of the 2025 season.
Where did Lane Hutson play college hockey?
He played for Boston University Terriers men’s ice hockey from 2022 to 2024.
What is Lane Hutson’s salary?
His entry-level cap hit is $950,000. His extension, beginning 2026-27, will pay $8.85 million annually.
Does Lane Hutson have a brother in hockey?
Yes, his brother Cole Hutson is a defenseman drafted by the Washington Capitals in 2024. They have two other hockey-playing brothers, Lars and Quinn.
Is Lane Hutson considered a top prospect?
Yes, he is widely regarded as one of the Montreal Canadiens’ top prospects, ranked among the best young defensemen in the pipeline.
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Ryan Clarke is Senior Markets Reporter at True North Brief, covering breaking stories and explainers.