By Chloe Wojtanik
Boston University News Service
With high caliber players and graduating seniors, it was a no-brainer that the Boston University Men’s Hockey team was going to lose some important players to the professional level this offseason.
The biggest loss for the Terriers is undoubtedly defenseman Lane Hutson, who signed a three-year entry level NHL contract with the Montreal Canadiéns. Hutson was drafted in the second round of the 2022 NHL entry draft by the Canadiens, and he notched two points in his first two NHL games. Hutson has his eyes set on playing a full 82 game season with the Canadiens next year as his college career is officially over, and it was one for the books.
Playing his freshman and sophomore year at BU, Hutson played 77 games in scarlet red and white and racked up 30 goals and 67 assists. Hutson isn’t leaving Hockey East without some impressive awards on his resume. He was a top-10 Hobey Baker award finalist both years, first team All-American and Hockey East rookie of the year. He was a leader not only on the ice, but also off as an assistant captain for the Terriers at 20 years old.
In a video montage Hutson posted on social media following his signing, he said, “I will always consider myself a terrier!” The montage was filled with clips of Hutson’s best moments as a Terrier, most notably his game winning goal in overtime that sealed the Hockey East championship for BU in the 2022-23 season.
Outside of Hutson, three more Terriers signed their names on the dotted line of NHL entry-level contracts. Senior Luke Tuch will become teammates with Hutson up in Montréal as he signed a two year/$1.85 million contract with the Canadiens. The second-round draft pick had his best year in college hockey this past season; setting new career highs with 10 goals, 20 assists and 30 points. His NHL contract with the Canadiens begins at the start of the 2024-25 season.
Senior forward Dylan Peterson signed a two-year/$1.85 million contract with the St. Louis Blues, beginning at the start of the 2024-25 NHL season. Peterson is most known for his Beanpot MVP win in 2022, when he scored the game’s only goal to give BU the 1-0 win and the school’s 30th Beanpot title. The Terrier’s blue line is going to miss graduate student Cade Weber as he signed a two-year entry level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Weber, who was named Hockey East’s best defensive defenseman, set an NCAA record last season for most blocked shots with 133. He didn’t have to travel far since he’s with the Maple Leafs in Boston, who are taking on the Bruins in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Two more Terriers were able to notch themselves AHL level deals. BU’s fearless leader, captain Case McCarthy, signed a two-year contract with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the AHL-affiliate of the New York Rangers. Graduate student Sam Stevens inked his name to a one-year contract with the Toronto Marlies, the farm team of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both players committed five years to the Terriers; a feat that has been accomplished by only a handful of players in the scarlet red and white.
While their collegiate careers aren’t over, they’re over at BU, at least, as Thomas Jarman, Jeremy Wilmer, Ty Gallagher and Henry Graham entered the transfer portal this offseason. Entering the NCAA transfer portal means that these players are looking for other opportunities to continue their collegiate careers at a different school than the one they’re currently attending.
