Montreal Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson breaks 35-year-old NCAA U-19 defenseman scoring record

With the first goal of the Manchester Regional on Thursday, Boston University defenseman Lane Hutson has passed Hockey Hall of Famer Brian Leetch for the most points by a U-19 defenseman in a single NCAA season.

Hutson, 18, scored to give Boston University a 1-0 lead over Western Michigan University on Thursday, giving him 48 points on the season. Hutson passed Leetch (1986-87) for third all-time, with nobody surpassing his 47-point count in 35 years – until today.

The goal came late in the first period of a 0-0 game. Hugh Larkin scored early for Western Michigan, but was waved off due to goaltender interference.

Hutson was taken 62nd overall by the Montreal Canadiens, with scouts noting his 5-foot-8 frame as a deterrent. Hutson – one of the top-scoring defensemen in USNTDP history – hasn’t let that slow him down, earning the Hockey East tournament MVP title after scoring the title-clinching goal. He’s also a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best men’s collegiate hockey player.

It’s entirely possible that Hutson could break the all-time record among all U-19 defensemen. The NCAA game is tighter than it used to be, so Hutson’s offensive prowess is something to behold. He’s tied with Western Michigan’s Ryan McAllister for sixth in NCAA scoring, regardless of position, and one point behind St. Louis Blues prospect Jimmy Snuggerud for fifth. New Jersey Devils prospect Luke Hughes was the only other defender to break the 40-point barrier, scoring 42 through 36 games with the University of Michigan.

Boston University entered the Manchester Regional as the second-ranked team, with Denver holding the top spot. The winner of both semifinal matchups on Thursday will advance to Saturday’s final, with the winner moving on to April’s Frozen Four to crown a national championship. Boston University, the Hockey East champions, are riding a high solid right now, and are looking to make the Frozen Four for the 23rd time, which would put them third all-time. They last participated in 2015 and last won it in 2009.