OverDrive - Hutson on achieving the Calder Trophy, the incredible opening season and the Canadiens' progression

Episode Date: June 10, 2025

Montreal Canadiens Defenseman Lane Hutson joined OverDrive to discuss capturing the Calder Trophy, his incredible opening season in the league, representing the Canadiens, enhancing the team for a playoff run, aiming to make the Olympic team for the USA and more.

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It was obviously an incredible season. You're certainly worthy of the call there. You had all of our votes, even though none of us could vote. I think Noodle's your vote. Yeah, I voted and he was my number one. Yeah. But at what point during the season did this seem possible for you? When did it start to dawn on you? I'm legitimately in the hunt here for rookie of the year, and I think I can win it.

I honestly, it never, never really crossed my mind. I think with the group we had, you know, we were battling till the end till game 82. And the hunt was was different. We were in a hunt for a playoff spot. So helps you kind of take your mind off maybe that hunt. And, you know, it was never really a hunt. It was just, you know, I enjoy what we were doing and wanted to help as much as I could.

Lane, you're obviously a very skilled player. That's your biggest asset as a player. What did you feel was most important to add to that? Was it like strength, competitiveness? I'm pretty sure you figured out this year you can't just play on skill alone in the National Hockey League. What was the most important thing you added to it? Yeah, I think for every guy in the NHLL they want to be able to perform every night and I Think it's the mental sharpness that keeps guys around and keeps them You know in the league so just that in itself is a huge component and something that you know

As a group we were trying to build and you know wanted to just perform at the high at the highest level every night With Lane Hudson, I'm curious Now that you would know any other other option or any other experience but playing in Montreal We referenced when we were there in September and camp was just opening the buzz around you was incredible and the adrenaline in the city And the confidence around the team How much of a factor did that play into you? confidence around the team How much of a factor did that play into you?

Your season and your ability to stay like you just said in the game and performing the fact that you were in a city like Montreal And it was as electric as it was because of the push you guys were making Yeah, I mean it was honestly surreal the season hasn't even started like at that time and Just feeling you know you feel it. You just, you feel the excitement, you feel the energy of, you know, people wanting us to do so well and wanting, you know, to win a lot. So, you know, it's just an amazing scenario for anyone who gets to play for Montreal and I could be more fortunate that I get to do it for the Canadians.

As you continue to build your brand in Montreal and grow in your stardom, did you get any advice from maybe a veteran guy, a Brendan Gallagher or a Josh Anderson who had played there for a while? I don't know if the right words is how to manage the noise, manage the attention you do get in Montreal and just relax and play hockey. Yeah, I mean that's been kind of how it is all year. Guys know the market, know how it could be tough at times, but they just said enjoy it,

embrace it, have fun. You only get to play for so long so why not take advantage of it and just enjoy it. Guys were kind of referencing their rookie years and how special and fun it is and it's just amazing to hear and I just felt really fortunate with the group we had as well. I always found it weird watching the Stanley Cup Finals lane and already kind of well into like the training program. Are you already like back on the ice and full swing like summer training? Yeah, which is, you know, it sucks because we'll do anything to be playing right now and

make you that much more hungry uh... yeah i'm just coming already feel naked ready to be a fun feeling that she didn't do which i would like to have said who uh... one the call their trophy earlier today it was announced. You look back on your season, 60 assists, which is just incredible, and the amount of minutes you played.

If I took you back to September or early October and I told you you'd be top 10 in the NHL in minutes played per game and you'd hit 60 assists. Like which achievement would you have thought may have been more difficult to get in the end? Honestly, it's just, you never know what to expect coming into a season. So to have the support I had and guys allowing me to adjust and learn on the fly, it was a big help and helping me kind of grow as a player and learn a lot.

It attributes to that, but all that stuff comes and goes. It's about what you learn and how does it help the team win. That's all I was trying to do. So next year is a big one for every hockey player because the Olympics are back. Best on best, you're an American. Americans are stacked. There's a lot of great defensemen.

Have you allowed yourself to think of that achievement, the idea that next year you'll be playing for scouts not only in the NHL but also the American team and what do you think you'll have to do to make that team? Yeah honestly it's you know you think about it but you know they're just gonna take the best guys that are available and that's how it should be so try not to think about it too much and you know there's some great American defensemen in the NHL and Yeah, I guess we'll see I mean it'd be a huge honor, but you know, you never know what to expect Absolutely, go for it man. I'll tell you what you play like you did this year

Nothing would surprise anyone because it was just an incredible year and Congrats on the Calder. I guess, are they doing Vegas this year? They're not doing the big show anymore, the big party. So maybe you're missing out on that. Yeah, I don't think so. Oh, that's disappointing. That's tough.

That's disappointing. That would be fun. But it's an incredible achievement. Again, well-deserved and earned. So congrats on a great first year, and we're looking forward to seeing what you have in store next year. Yeah, thank you guys. You got it, there's Lane Hudson

of the Montreal Canadiens. Calder winning. This Pride season, celebrate with the station that says bold, vibrant, and diverse as you are. I heart Pride Canada, from dance anthems to pop icons. Let's celebrate diversity and love and hits from 2SLGBTQ plus Canadian artists It's your soundtrack for pride and beyond just ask your smart speaker to play iHeart Pride Canada Stream us on your phone or listen now at iHeartRadio.ca. Happy Pride from iHeart Pride Canada