BOSTON - Freshman Lane Hutson of the Boston University men's ice hockey team is this year's recipient of the Walter Brown Award, the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston announced on Thursday.

Hutson is the first freshman since Brian Leetch in 1987 to win this award, which is presented annually to the best American-born Division I men's college hockey player in New England. The dynamic rookie is the 12th Terrier to receive this award and the first since Matt Gilroy in 2009. 

A native of North Barrington, Illinois, Hutson was the best defenseman in the nation regardless of class this season. He surpassed Leetch as the highest-scoring freshman defenseman in Hockey East history, totaling 48 points on 15 goals and 33 assists, one better than Leetch's 47 (9g, 38a). Hutson's 48 points is the most by a freshman blue liner since 1986-87 and he enters the Frozen Four ranked fifth all-time among freshman defensemen in points. He reached that mark with the opening goal in the Terriers' win over Western Michigan in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. While he did not record a point in a 2-1 win over Cornell in the regional final, Hutson bravely blocked a shot with just seconds remaining to help preserve the win en route to being selected to the All-Regional Team.

"Congratulations to Lane on winning such a prestigious award, said head coach Jay Pandolfo, himself a Walter Brown Award winner in 1996. "There were many deserving candidates for this honor, and for Lane to stand out as he has is a testament to his talent as well as to his work ethic and competitiveness. What Lane has achieved is even more impressive when you remember he's only a freshman and he's playing as a defenseman in arguably the best conference in college hockey. Our whole program is proud of Lane for what he's accomplished in such a short timeframe here at BU, and we're excited to share in his continued success."

Hutson has played some of his best hockey when it matters the most. He was named Hockey East Tournament MVP after he scored two goals, including the overtime-winner, in the title game. He has been on the ice for 15 of the Terriers' past 19 goals and has 10 points (5g, 5a) in the last eight games.

Nationally, Hutson leads all defensemen in both goals (15) and points (48). He ranks seventh among all skaters in total points and sixth in the nation in points per game. Hutson is also tied for sixth overall with 33 assists and is first among freshman defensemen in plus-minus as a plus-28. The Hockey East Rookie of the Year was the only defenseman to be a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. He was also runner-up for the league's Player of the Year award after becoming the first defenseman in the 39-year history of Hockey East to lead the league in scoring, posting 34 points on nine goals and a league-high 25 assists in 24 Hockey East tilts. Hutson was a unanimous Hockey East First Team All-Star and Hockey East All-Rookie selection.

Hutson was a two-time Hockey East Defender of the Month, the league's Player of the Month for January and the National Rookie of the Month for January. Additionally, Hutson was a six-time Rookie of the Week honoree and a two-time Player of the Week. He has totaled 16 multi-point games, including three three-point efforts and a four-assist performance at Maine on Feb. 3.

The nation's oldest nationally-recognized college hockey honor, the Walter Brown Award was established in 1953 by the members of the 1933 Massachusetts Rangers, the first American team ever to win the World Championship Tournament. Brown coached the Rangers to the title in Prague, Czechoslovakia, where the team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime in the championship game.

The Walter Brown Award will be presented at the New England Hockey Writers' annual event on Wednesday, April 19, at Prince Restaurant in Saugus.