Wishing Lane Hutson and Boston University good luck in the NCAA Frozen Four Tournament
Written by Fred Arshoff
Edited by Judy Pitcher
First of all I would like to thank my editor Judy Pitcher for her outstanding editing of my articles. Adding facts and updating information between the time I’ve written the article and it’s being published. A tip of my hat to you, Judy.
I decided to write this article, as there are some who are wishing Lane Hutson and Boston University play badly and get eliminated from the NCAA Frozen Four Hockey Tournament. I’m against that sentiment and I will explain why. I know people are hoping to see Lane Hutson join David Reinbacher on the Laval Rocket, but wishing bad luck to BU is not the way to go.
First of all, let’s look at all the other players at Boston University, especially those who are playing in their last official hockey tournament. Those players who are good enough to play in the NCAA but who may not be quite good enough to take the next step to the AHL or NHL. This tournament is their version of the Stanley Cup. Should they go out with their heads hung low? they lose but gave it their all, they can go out with their heads held high, proud of what they achieved.
Then, let’s consider, if Hutson plays poorly and loses confidance in himself and that continued to Laval, who will benefit from that? Not Laval or the HABS and certainly not Lane Hutson himself. And not real hockey fans, either.
If you were Lane Hutson’s parents how would you like to see fans wishing your chld plays poorly. I know I would be very upset by that.
The HABS have been the type of organization, that if they want a player, but that player wishes to finish their education, have been supportive of that player’s decision. I don’t fault players who wish to continue their education, as they never know if their hockey careers will be shortened by injury and hockey careers are not that long, as it is. They want something to fall back on at the end, to be able to work and provide for their families.
Playing in the Frozen Four will help speed up Hutson’s development process, as this is a major tournament. As a recent example, no one wished Cole Caufield a poor tournament performance. Playing in the Frozen Four cemented his status as the Hobey Baker Award winner. I’m sure the extra time playing in this tournament benefitted him and we are seeing the dividends now.
Kent Hughes has already taken steps to ensure that if Laval Rocket make the playoffs, they will have the re-inforcements they will need. The recquired AHL paperwork was put in place at the AHL trade deadline to be able to return both Jayden Struble and Joshua Roy to Laval at the end of the HABS season. We know that currently Struble is healthy and ready to play, however we do not know if Roy’s injury will be healed, allowing him to return to play in time for the playoffs.
Let’s wish the best for every team and their players, they want to have great memories of their NCAA or Junior careers.
In closing Judy and I would like to wish Lane Hutson, Luke Tuch and Boston University all the best in their final NCAA Frozen Four Tournament and that they go out with the Championship.
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