Canadiens Prospect Watch: Hutson Makes History, Roy On Fire

This was a very good week for Montreal Canadiens prospects across all leagues to say the least; with a  handful putting up inspiring late-season performances for their clubs.

With major junior seasons winding down and playoff matchups beginning in the NCAA and Europe; it’s that time of the year when top prospects start to break out from their peers and assert themselves as leaders on the ice.

That’s exactly what we’ve seen of late from quite a few Canadiens prospects.

Take a look below:

Lane Hutson

The Canadiens’ top prospect, Lane Hutson, continues to add to his story this season.

After registering a clutch assist in the Hockey East semi-final for the Boston Terriers against Providence , Lane Hutson took his game up a notch in the final on Saturday night.

Hutson not only opened the scoring for the Terriers against Merrimack, but also scored the championship-clinching goal in overtime to give Boston University its 10th Hockey East division title.

His incredible performances down the stretch earned him the title of Hockey East Tournament MVP, to the surprise of nobody.

With his two goals in the game, Lane Hutson now has 14 goals and 33 assists for 47 points in 36 games on the season.

Hutson’s 47-point season has tied Brian Leetch for the best offensive performance for a freshman defenceman in the history of the NCAA, albeit with one less game played than Leetch.

The history-making season is not over yet, as Hutson will have the opportunity to surpass Leetch’s accomplishments in Boston University’s first game in the NCAA Championships, which are set to begin on March 23.

Lane Hutson scores his second of the night to clinch the Hockey East Championship for the Terriers! @TerrierHockey | @hockey_east pic.twitter.com/RvE83PrGjH

— NESN (@NESN) March 19, 2023

Joshua Roy

Joshua Roy has been on a roll since the World Junior Championships for the Sherbrooke Phoenix.

The 19-year-old is seemingly turning up the heat right before the QMJHL playoffs are set to get underway, as he popped off this weekend in a big way.

Roy followed a two-assist performance on Friday night with an impressive five-point tally on Saturday night against Val d’Or, including a first-period hattrick.

His seven-point tally over the weekend has vaulted his point totals up to 41 goals and 49 assists for 90 points in 52 games this season.

His 30 points in his last 14 games since coming back from the World Juniors have helped him climb back up the QMJHL scoring race, currently sitting fourth in the league in points per game, just behind the next prospect on this list.

#GoHabsGo prospect Joshua Roy needed just 8:54 in the first period to secure the hat-trick for @PhoenixSherbroo Saturday night!

Un tour du chapeau en première période pour Joshua Roy! 🎩🎩🎩 pic.twitter.com/41lWuE909F

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) March 19, 2023

Riley Kidney

Riley Kidney is perhaps the hottest Canadiens prospect as of late.

Since being traded to the Gatineau Olympiques, the 19-year-old centre has put up a staggering 12 goals and 45 assists for 57 points in just 25 games this season.

After an impressive two-assist performance on Friday night, Kidney also increased his impressive point streak to 24 games in a row.

The Montreal Canadiens’ 2nd-round pick in 2022 also hit the 100-point mark for the second season in a row, and is currently fifth in the QMJHL scoring race.

Going from 100 points in 66 games last season to 102 points in just 56 games; Kidney has seemingly taken his game to the next level and looks primed to lead the Olympiques offensive heading into the QMJHL’s spring dance later this month.

Le sentiment de marquer contre son ancienne équipe…😏

The feeling of scoring against your former team…😏

GAT | 6-1 | SHA #goOLgo♠️ pic.twitter.com/GuHnHzoYT8

— Olympiques de Gatineau (@OlympiquesGAT) March 18, 2023

Logan Mailloux

There is no doubt that the unquestioned leader of the London Knights’ defensive brigade is Logan Mailloux, as the 19-year-old not only leads his peers in points, but he’s also second on the entire team in goals with 24.

The Montreal Canadiens’ 1st-round pick in 2021 has been ramping up his performances of late; posting a three-point performance against the Kingston Frontenacs on Friday in dominant fashion.

Mailloux continues to be the most utilized player on the London Knights, playing in all situations and being tasked with shutting down the opposition; an aspect that has improved in a noticeable way of late.

With the OHL season coming to a close in the next week; it will be interesting to see how the young defender fares in his first playoff setting.

#gohabsgo Logan Mailloux joins the rush and snipes one far side to give London a 4-2 lead.

That goal puts Mailloux atop the OHL scoring list for D-men unless Mintyukov lights the lamp tonight. pic.twitter.com/K8sE9y6isJ

— Matt Drake (@DrakeMT) March 18, 2023

Adam Engstrom

Adam Engstrom has turned it up a notch during the SHL playoffs, as he added two goals in his last two games for Rogle this week.

The 19-year-old defenceman has impressed with his calm demeanour and his ability to carry the puck up the ice with poise.

The Canadiens’ 3rd-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft helped his club eliminate Emil Heineman and Leksand from the SHL playoffs earlier this week and was instrumental in helping Rögle get the advantage in their new series against the Skellefteå in Game 1.

The series is now tied at one game each, with the next game slated for March 20.

Vilket mål av Engström 👌 Rögle återtar ledningen 💥 pic.twitter.com/yfkf2pozQs

— C More Hockey (@cmorehockey) March 16, 2023

Owen Beck

Owen Beck has started to find his groove since being traded to the Peterborough Petes in early January.

The 19-year-old centre has settled into his new role as second-line centre and is now starting to pile on the points; registering three goals and six assists for nine points in his last seven games.

The Montreal Canadiens prospect has played a sound defensive game as well; leading the OHL for a second consecutive year in faceoff efficiency, while playing against the opposition’s top lines.

The Petes are expected to go pretty deep in the OHL Playoffs this spring, and Beck looks to be catching fire at just the right time.

give and GO PETES GO pic.twitter.com/JuSrmm7dY6

— Peterborough Petes (@PetesOHLhockey) March 16, 2023

Rhett Pitlick

You don’t hear much about the Canadiens’ 5th-round pick in 2019, playing behind some elite talent at the University of Minnesota.

However, the 22-year-old came up big for them in a losing effort against the Michigan Wolverines in the Big-10 finals on Saturday, scoring a beautiful goal to help push the game to overtime.

In his second season with the Golden Gophers, Pitlick has amassed 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 36 games this season.

With the likes of Matthew Knies and Logan Cooley likely turning pro in the next few weeks, it wouldn’t be outlandish to expect a big spike next season in production for the Canadiens prospect.

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