Bean Town Times

Freshman Lane Hutson of the Boston University men's ice hockey team has been selected as one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, as announced on Wednesday.

This marks the 17th time that a Terrier has been a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, which is presented annually to the top player in Division I men's hockey. It's also the third time in the past four years that a BU skater has earned this recognition; David Farrance was top-10 finalist in 2020 and 2021. In addition, Hutson is only the second Terrier freshman to be selected in the Hobey Top 10, joining 2015 winner Jack Eichel. Hutson is the only defenseman to be selected as a top-10 finalist this year.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hutson became just the third defenseman in league history (and first since 1992) to be named Hockey East Rookie of the Year. Hutson was also the runner-up for Hockey East Player of the Year in addition to being a unanimous Hockey East First Team All-Star and Hockey East All-Rookie selection. A native of North Barrington, Illinois, Hutson put together one of the best rookie seasons in league history. He was the first defenseman to ever lead Hockey East in scoring in the league's 39-year history, posting 34 points on nine goals and a league-high 25 assists in 24 Hockey East tilts.

In 34 overall games, Hutson leads Hockey East with 44 points on 12 goals and a league-high 32 assists. Not only has Hutson shined on the league stage but he has been one of the best defensemen in the country, regardless of class. He ranks fifth in the NCAA in assists and is first among NCAA defensemen in both assists per game and points per game. In addition, Hutson leads all freshman defensemen in plus-minus as a plus-23. Hutson was a two-time Hockey East Defender of the Month, the league's Player of the Month for January and the National Rookie of the Month for January. Additionally, Hutson was a six-time Rookie of the Week honoree and also earned Player of the Week accolades in November. He has totaled 15 multi-point games, including three three-point efforts and a four-assist performance at Maine on Feb. 3.

Hutson and the Terriers will continue their quest for a Hockey East tournament title on Friday when BU faces Providence in a semifinal contest at TD Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. 

Original source can be found here.