Lane Hutson is making a solid case to be on the Montreal Canadiens blueline on Opening Night. The 20-year-old is one of the bright spots in the pre-season and has worked hard to make the lineup.
Whether breaking up plays in the defensive zones or getting creative at the end of the ice, the media and broadcasters can't get enough of him as he slowly morphs into a franchise defenseman.
As he continues to grow as a player and young adult, his number of supporters is on an upward trajectory. There may not be many No. 48 jerseys in the stands at the Bell Centre today, but given more time and exposure in the NHL, Hutson jerseys will fill the stands as he eventually contends for the Norris Trophy.
Sep 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Lane Hutson (48) controls the puck in front of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Bobby McMann (74) in the third period at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Hutson is the sixth skater in Canadiens history to wear No. 48; here are the other five.
J.J. Daigneault (1990-1996)
J.J. Daigneault came to the Canadiens in 1989 after four seasons split between the Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Flyers. He would skate seven seasons in Montreal, getting his name on the Stanley Cup in 1993, scoring four points in 20 games during that playoff run.
His best seasons may have come early with the Canucks, but he was a consistent performer who averaged 13 points a year with the Canadiens. Considering he scored 250 points over his 16 seasons, the only team with which he scored more than 50 points was Montreal.
François Groleau (1996-1998)
François Groleau played only eight games for the Canadiens, debuting in 1995-96 and last seeing the NHL in 1997-98. While in the organization, he mainly skated with the Fredericton Canadiens. He scored 47 goals and 176 points in 331 contests in the AHL.
Eventually, Groleau went to Europe to play in the German League, netting 20 goals and 115 points in 370 games. He bounced around in the Ligue Magnus and the LNAH before retiring in 2016.
Miloslav Gureň (1999-2000)
Miloslav Gureň is the third defenseman to wear No. 48. He appeared in 36 games between the 1998-99 and 1999-00 seasons. During his brief stint in the NHL, he scored a goal and collected three assists for four points.
Like Groleau, he spent much time with the Fredericton Canadiens, where he played in the 2001 AHL All-Star Game. After 2001, he left North America and played in Russia, Czechia, and Italy, recently retiring after the 2022-23 season.
J.T. Wyman (2010)
J.T. Wyman wore No. 48 for three games during the 2009-10 season. He made his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 24, 2009, and played the next two contests against Pittsburgh and Washington.
In the minors, Wyman was an alternate captain with the Hamilton Bulldogs for several seasons before moving on to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played one season in Germany before leaving pro hockey after the 2014-15 season.
Daniel Brière (2014)
Daniel Brière may be remembered for his play with the Buffalo Sabres and Philadelphia Flyers. But, he did come home for one season in 2013-14, playing in 69 games with the Canadiens. That year marked the last time the former 30-goal scorer reached double digits in lamplighters, netting 13 and finishing the campaign with 25 points.
Apr 16, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Montreal Canadiens center Daniel Briere (48) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period in game one of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
Over his 17 seasons, the native of Gatineau, QC, played in 973 games, collecting 696 points and finishing 11th in Hart Trophy voting in 2006-07. As of 2024, Briére remains the only forward to skate with No. 48 in Montreal and the last one before Hutson pulled it on in April 2024.
