Montreal, QC – Netflix has confirmed date for its compelling new documentary, Hutson’s Highlight: The Calder Trophy Quest, a focused celebration of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson’s remarkable journey as a finalist for the 2024-25 Calder Memorial Trophy. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Rachel Morrison, the film zeroes in on Hutson’s historic rookie season, his achievement as one of the NHL’s top rookies, and the anticipation surrounding the Calder Trophy ceremony. The documentary offers fans an intimate look at the 21-year-old’s rise, spotlighting his record-breaking performance and the pride of the Canadiens’ faithful.
Lane Hutson, a second-round pick (No. 62) in the 2022 NHL Draft, emerged as a sensation in his first full NHL season with the Montreal Canadiens in 2024-25. The diminutive defenseman (5-foot-9, 162 pounds) defied expectations, leading all rookies with 66 points (6 goals, 60 assists) in 82 games, tying Larry Murphy’s NHL record for assists by a rookie blueliner. His performance shattered Chris Chelios’ Canadiens record for points by a rookie defenseman (64 in 1984-85) and powered Montreal to a surprise playoff berth. Named a Calder Trophy finalist alongside San Jose’s Macklin Celebrini and Calgary’s Dustin Wolf, Hutson became the first Canadien since Brendan Gallagher in 2013 to earn this honor. Hutson’s Highlight focuses exclusively on this achievement, chronicling his path to the finalist nod and the excitement of the NHL Awards ceremony.
The documentary, produced by RadicalMedia, known for sports films like The Last Dance, draws on exclusive footage from Hutson’s rookie season, capturing his dazzling puck-handling, pinpoint passes, and game-changing plays. Highlights include his nine-game assist streak, tying a Canadiens record, and his March 2025 Rookie of the Month award, his second of the season. The film showcases his impact, with 26 power-play points and an average ice time of 22:44, both tops among rookies, as noted by NHL.com.
Hutson’s Highlight centers on Hutson’s Calder Trophy candidacy, a prestigious award given annually to the NHL’s most proficient rookie, as voted by the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association. The documentary details the announcement of the finalists on May 5, 2025, when Hutson was named alongside Celebrini and Wolf, a moment celebrated by Canadiens fans on X. It explores the significance of the Calder, last won by a Canadien in 1972 by Ken Dryden, and Hutson’s historic season, which saw him lead all rookie defensemen in points since Quinn Hughes in 2019-20.
The film builds anticipation for the NHL Awards ceremony, held after the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, where the Calder winner was revealed. While the documentary avoids spoilers, it captures the buzz around Hutson, whose -1600 betting odds gave him a 94.12% implied win probability, per Sportsbook Review. Exclusive footage from the ceremony includes Hutson’s red-carpet arrival, interactions with fellow finalists, and reactions from teammates like Nick Suzuki and coach Martin St. Louis, who praised Hutson’s calculated risk-taking. The documentary also features interviews with hockey analysts, who compare Hutson’s offensive flair to Cale Makar and Bobby Orr, cementing his status as a generational talent.
The series delves into Hutson’s journey to the Calder finalist stage, emphasizing his resilience and skill. Drafted out of Boston University, where he was teammates with Celebrini, Hutson silenced doubters about his size with elite playmaking, leading rookies in assists (60), power-play points, and takeaways (55). His ability to “juke opponents in tight areas,” as teammate Kaiden Guhle noted, electrified fans at Bell Centre, where he broke records and sparked Montreal’s playoff push. The documentary includes testimonials from St. Louis, who called Hutson’s risk management “unique,” and Boston University coach Jay Pandolfo, who jokingly suggested a co-Calder for Hutson and Celebrini.
Hutson’s Highlight is a tribute to Canadiens fans, whose passion for their team and Hutson’s breakout season fueled social media hype. The film captures fan reactions at watch parties and Bell Centre, where Hutson’s highlight-reel plays drew standing ovations. Its October 15 release, ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season, primes fans for Montreal’s next chapter. Netflix’s focus on Hutson aligns with its growing hockey content, following documentaries on Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby.
As October 15 approaches, excitement for Hutson’s Highlight is palpable, with X posts buzzing about Hutson’s Calder campaign. The 700-minute documentary promises to immortalize his rookie brilliance and the Calder ceremony’s drama, offering a snapshot of a star on the rise. Whether Hutson claimed the trophy or not, Hutson’s Highlight: The Calder Trophy Quest ensures his 2024-25 season will be remembered as a landmark for the Canadiens and the NHL.
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