Top Canadiens prospect Lane Hutson has officially joined the team

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The wait is almost over for Canadiens fans eager to catch a first look Lane Hutson Plays in the NHL.

The Canadiens announced Friday afternoon that the 20-year-old defenseman has agreed to terms on a three-year NHL entry-level contract. Hutson's Boston University team lost 2-1 in overtime to Denver in the semifinals of the NCAA Frozen Four on Thursday night.

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The Canadiens selected the 5-foot-10, 162-pound Hutson in the second round (62nd overall). 2022 NHL Draft. That same year, the Canadiens took Juraj Slafkowski with the No. 1 overall pick, followed by Filip Mesar with the 26th pick and Owen Beck with the 33rd pick before taking Hutson.

In his two seasons at Boston University, Hutson posted 30-67-97 totals in 77 games and was a combined plus-39. He was also part of the American team that won bronze at last year's World Junior Championships and won the gold medal this year.

The Canadiens play the Senators in Ottawa on Saturday (7 p.m., Citytv, SNE, TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM). However, Hutson is expected to join the Canadiens in Detroit, where they will play the Red Wings on Monday night before finishing the season with another game against the Red Wings on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre.

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Hutson's three-year contract is worth $2.85 million. According to CapFriendly,com , and includes a $95,000 signing bonus annually. It's a two-way contract with an annual salary of $950,000 in the NHL, while Hutson will earn $82,500 if he plays for the AHL's Laval Rocket.

If Hutson plays a game with the Canadiens this season — which is expected — it will burn the first year of his entry-level deal. That's what the Canadiens did when they signed defenseman Jordan Harris to an entry-level deal two seasons ago after leaving Northeastern University and forward Sean Farrell, who they signed last offseason after leaving Harvard.

After being named a Michigan native, Hutson was just 5-foot-8 and 158 pounds when the Canadiens drafted him. The best defender in the U-18 World Cup.

“When we drafted him, I thought, 'Oh, little defenseman,'” said Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player development, when asked about Hutson at the team's development camp last summer. “I watched him last year and every time he impressed. …Only very smart. Always seems to find something somewhere. It happens when the puck is in the offensive zone.

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“Every game I've been to, he's had an impact,” Ramage added. “Game winners, the whole nine yards. Usually the best player on the ice.”

Hutson posted 15-34-49 totals in 38 games at Boston University this season and was named a first-team All-American on Friday. He was also among 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as the most outstanding player in NCAA hockey.

Hutson's teammate Maclin Celebrini was named the Hobey Baker Award winner on Friday after posting 32-32-64 totals in 38 games as a 17-year-old freshman at Boston University. The Vancouver native is expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NHL Draft.

Hutson wore No. 20 at Boston University, Slafkowski's number with the Canadiens. Hutson will now wear #48.

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