Lane Hutson signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Montreal Canadiens on Friday.
The 20-year-old could make his NHL debut at the Detroit Red Wings on Monday or at home against them Tuesday. He's expected to meet the team in Detroit on Sunday.
Hutson is tied for the NCAA lead among defensemen with 49 points (15 goals, 34 assists) in 38 games as a sophomore at Boston University. His season ended with a 2-1 overtime loss to the University of Denver in the Frozen Four on Thursday.
Hutson was a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the top men's NCAA ice hockey player for the second straight season, and was named a Hockey East First-Team All-Star, also for the second straight season.
He had 97 points (30 goals, 67 assists) and 10 game-winning goals in 77 games in his two college seasons.
Montreal selected Hutson in the second round (No. 62) of the 2022 NHL Draft.
The Canadiens (30-36-13), who have been eliminated from contention for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, have three games remaining. They play at the Ottawa Senators on Saturday (7 p.m. ET; TVAS, CITY, SNE), followed by the home-and-home set against the Red Wings.
