Canadiens’ Lane Hutson becomes second-fastest defenseman to record 100 assists

Montreal Canadiens’ defenseman Lane Hutson etched his name in the record books Thursday night, becoming the second-fastest defenseman in NHL history to record 100 career assists.

The 21-year-old blueliner achieved the feat in the first period of the Canadiens’ game against the Buffalo Sabres. Down 2-1 and on the power play, Hutson fed Ivan Demidov a pass that he one-timed into the net, tying the game at two and giving Hutson his 100th assist.

Hutson reached the 100-assist mark in 132 regular-season games. The only defender to achieve the feat faster is Sergei Zubov, who reached the milestone in just 127 games.

Going into Thursday night’s game, Hutson had eight goals and 37 assists for 45 points in 47 games this season. He ranks fourth in points and second in assists among all NHL defenders in 2025-26.

Hutson is in the final season of a three-year, entry-level deal signed after his sophomore season with Boston University. Next season, his eight-year, $70.8 million extension kicks in, and will pay him $8.85 million through the 2033-34 campaign.

Hutson, born in Holland, Mich., won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year in 2024-25 after he scored six goals and recorded 60 assists for 66 points. He became just the fourth defenseman in the NHL’s modern era to lead rookies in scoring, joining Bobby Orr, Brian Leetch and Quinn Hughes.

His 60 assists tied Larry Murphy for the most by a rookie defender in league history, while his 66 points trailed only Murphy, Leetch and Gary Suter for the most in NHL history.

Hutson, taken in the second round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, played two seasons of NCAA college hockey with Boston University, scoring 30 goals and 67 assists for 97 points in 77 games.

Internationally, Hutson has represented the U.S. at two World Junior Championships, winning gold in 2024 and bronze in 2023. He also won a silver medal at the Under-18 World Championships in 2022.