Video work at university paid off for Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson

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Nobody spent more time with Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson during his two seasons at Boston University than assistant coach Kim Brandvold.

Every Monday, around 8 a.m., Hutson and Brandvold would get together for a video session to go over every shift the 20-year-old defenceman played during Boston University’s two weekend games.

How long did the video sessions last?

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“Well, he played a lot of minutes,” Brandvold said with a chuckle during a phone interview Wednesday. “We looked at every shift and all the minutes he would play, which would usually be 45 minutes or so on the weekend.”

Brandvold joined the Boston University coaching staff ahead of Hutson’s freshman season in 2022-23 after spending seven seasons as a skating and skills coach with the Boston Bruins. At Boston University he is a skills coach and also handles the defencemen.

The Canadiens selected Hutson in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. During his two seasons at Boston University, the 5-foot-10, 162-pounder posted 30-67-97 totals in 77 games and had a plus-39 differential. Hutson left school after Boston University lost 2-1 in overtime to Denver in the semifinals of the NCAA Frozen Four tournament and signed a three-year, NHL entry-level contract with the Canadiens. He played in the Canadiens’ final two regular-season games, posting two assists.

Brandvold worked with Hutson not only to help him perform at Boston University, but also to get him ready for the NHL.

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“I think a lot of the stuff that we tried to do was just look at his habits in games and making sure that — although he was always successful for us — it was to understand that when the next level comes being prepared for that with the position you’re putting yourself in with your body, your stick. The timing of your game can be really good at any level you play at until you get to the National Hockey League level and then you got to kind of make some adjustments. So it was just trying to get ahead of that and install those habits so it’s plug-and-play when you go there.”

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Boston University head coach Jay Pandolfo said he would be surprised if Hutson doesn’t make the Canadiens to start next season.

Hutson’s offensive numbers speak for themselves, but the big question is will he be able to defend well in the NHL at his size?

Brandvold believes Hutson has defensive skills he can use that make up for his lack of size, adding that he anticipates the play just as well in the defensive zone as he does in the offensive zone. Brandvold added that Hutson’s timing while defending rushes and his one-on-one play in the defensive zone improved a lot over the last two seasons.

“His feet are elite,” Brandvold said. “His feet are as good as anybody, so it’s never going to be a situation where someone can beat him in quickness. So that would be the No. 1 thing. His instincts and his timing are really good and he’s very, very strong on his stick.

“I think it’s just like a constant adjustment when you’re playing in that league (the NHL) and you’re going to learn,” Brandvold added. “Each team is different … it depends on who you play against as well. I may feel a little bit different than a lot of other people in that I think he’s very unique and I think my biggest question would be: How are teams going to adjust to playing him?”

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That’s a very interesting question.

While Canadiens fans will be anxious to see how Hutson performs in the future, his loss will be felt at Boston University.

However, Hutson’s younger brother, Cole, will be joining Boston University next season and could fill his role on the blue line. Cole, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, had 15-36-51 totals in 51 games this season with the U.S. National U18 Team. The 17-year-old is ranked 55th among North American skaters for next month’s NHL Draft and was named the top defenceman at this month’s IIHF Under-18 World Championship after posting 4-9-13 totals in seven games as Team USA settled for a silver medal after losing 6-4 to Canada in the final.

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When Lane was asked about his brother at the Canadiens’ development camp last summer, he said: “He definitely has special abilities. I don’t want to say it — hopefully he doesn’t watch this — but yeah, I think he has that ability to be better than me. I think he’ll get drafted much higher. He’s a super-talented player. Smooth skater, sees the ice really well. He’s got the shakes. A really good shot, too. He’s a really good hockey player.”

Brandvold is going to miss his Monday morning video sessions with Lane next season.

“I felt like we accomplished a lot and he was really, really good to work with,” Brandvold said. “When you have a player of that calibre who also wants to be coached it’s pretty special, so I’ll definitely miss him.”

Will he start doing Monday morning video sessions with Cole next season?

“I hope so,” Brandvold said. “If he’s willing.”

scowan@postmedia.com

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