Former University of Maine All-American defenseman Ben Hutton has earned a roster spot for the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks.
Hutton decided to pass up his senior year at Maine to sign with the Canucks after the Black Bears’ season ended last March.
He then played in four games for the American Hockey League’s Utica Comets and had a goal.
The 22-year-old Hutton shared the Canucks’ team scoring lead during the preseason with five points on one goal and four assists in seven games.
Vancouver General Manager Jim Benning told The National Post, “We knew Ben Hutton was going to be a good player, but we didn’t think he was going to challenge for a lineup spot this year. We thought he would become a top-four defenseman eventually, but we didn’t know he could play with this kind of poise with the puck. On any given night, he has been one of our top two or three defensemen.”
Canucks assistant coach Glen Gulutzan said to the the Vancouver Sun, “There are some guys that just have those NHL subtleties, and [Hutton] has those hard-to-teach things.
“The first thing is the poise with the puck and the ability to hold it for that extra second — not that too-long second — but that extra second, maybe make a quick step and let plays develop and move the puck,” he said. “He can see plays, he has the patience to let them develop and then makes the play.”
Hutton had nine goals and 12 assists for the Black Bears last season after leading the nation’s defenseman in goals with 15 during the 2013-14 season when he was chosen an All-American. He also had 14 assists. He set the school record for goals by a defenseman in a season, and he became the first defenseman to ever lead Maine in goals.
He concluded his career with 28 goals and 37 assists in 108 games.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Prescott, Ontario, native was a fifth-round draft choice in 2012. He was the 147th overall selection. He will make $896,250 with the Canucks.
The Canucks open at Calgary on Wednesday night.