GLENDALE, AZ – NOVEMBER 23: Ben Hutton #27 of the Vancouver Canucks braces himself as Jordan Martinook #48 of the Arizona Coyotes re-directs the puck during the first period at Gila River Arena on November 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)
By Andrew Chernoff
November 24, 2016
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the club has signed defenceman Ben Hutton to a two-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $2.8 million.
“Ben is developing into one of our young, emerging core players and is an important part of our future,” said General Manager Jim Benning. “We’re excited to see him further elevate his game and help this team compete for years to come.”
GM Jim Benning talks about Hutton contract: length, value, and the future of Canucks blueline:
“It’s exciting news. Ben has been a nice surprise since he got here. He’s a great young player and he’s playing real well”, coach Willie Desjardins said of the young defenseman.
Hutton, 23, has registered four points (2-2-4) in 20 games with Vancouver this season where he currently leads defencemen in goals and shares the blueline lead in points. In his debut NHL season in 2015.16, Hutton appeared in 75 games recording 25 points (1-24-25) to lead all Canucks defencemen in scoring en route to capturing the Walter (Babe) Pratt Best Defenceman Award. He also finished sixth among NHL rookies in ice time (19:52 TOI/GP) and tied for seventh in rookie assists.
Prior to making his professional debut with Utica in 2015 (1-0-1 in 4 games), Hutton spent three seasons with the University of Maine. In 108 career NCAA games, Hutton registered 65 points (28-37-65) and logged 40 penalty minutes.
On the international stage, the 6-3, 207-pound defenceman represented Canada at the 2016 World Championships, helping his country capture gold.
A native of Prescott, Ontario, Hutton was selected by Vancouver in the fifth round, 147th overall, at the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
VANCOUVER, BC – NOVEMBER 17: Ben Hutton #27 of the Vancouver Canucks scores on Louis Domingue #35 of the Arizona Coyotes on an overtime penalty shot during their NHL game at Rogers Arena November 17, 2016 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
By Andrew Chernoff
November 17, 2016
Vancouver (7-10-1=15 pts) played the third game of their 4 game homestand tonight at Rogers Arena against Pacific division rivals, Arizona Coyotes (5-9-2=12 pts).
The game was the first of five meetings this season between the division rivals, and Vancouver was looking for their second win on their homestand, after a loss to the New York Rangers last game; and a win over the Dallas Stars prior to that.
Canucks defenseman Ben Hutton scored on a penalty shot in overtime, his second goal of the season, to win it for Vancouver, to give them a 3-2 win.
Henrik Sedin extended his points streak to 7 games (4-4=8 pts / 7 Games), with two points (1-1=2 pts); Alex Edler, had his first two assists of the season (0-2=2 pts), to lead the Canucks.
Brandon Sutter had the other Vancouver goal; and Henrik Sedin picked up an assist.
Brandon Sutter extended his points streak to three games (3-1=3 pts/ 3 Games).
Canucks starting goalie Jacob Markstrom, stopped 34 of 36 shots in the game, and Michael Garteig, served as backup, with Ryan Miller out with the flu.
Garteig was recalled from the ECHL Alaska Aces affiliate for tonight’s game.
Markstrom, is 5-3-1 with a 2.71 GAA and a .900 save percentage.
Vancouver is 6-4-0 at home.
Canucks, are t-5th place in the Pacific division with Calgary at 15 points; 3 points behind San Jose in 3rd place; 3 points ahead of Arizona.
Game Summary
In the first, the Canucks for the 3rd time this season, seemingly scored the opening game goal, as Michael Chaput (1), assisted by Alex Edler (1) and Jack Skille (2), scored at 11:56, to make it 1-0 Canucks. Except, the goal was challenged for interference on the play.
The goal was disallowed, and the game remained scoreless.
In the second, Brad Richardson (5) would score, off the stick of Alex Edler, at 1:22, assisted by Shane Doan (4) and Jakob Chychrun (3), to make it 1-0 Coyotes.
Canucks challenged for an offside on the play. The goal would count as the review was inconclusive.
Derek Dorsett, did not come out for the second period, due to an upper body injury, and did not play the rest of the game.
Arizona would go up two goals at 2-0, on the power play; Anthony DeAngelo (2), assisted by Martin Hanzel (3) and Max Domi (11), at 10:45.
Brandon Sutter, with his 4th goal, cut the difference in the game to 2-1, assisted by Daniel Sedin (6) and Alex Edler (1) and 15:45.
The Canucks on the power play, just over two minutes later, would get a goal from Daniel Sedin, his 6th goal of the season, assisted by Alex Edler (2) and Henrik Sedin (6) at 17:58, to tie the game at 2-2.
Canucks have trailed after two periods in 14 of 18 games this season.
Vancouver started the final period shorthanded, and the Canucks were able to kill it.
The game would end in regulation all tied at 2-2, and off to overtime they went.
Ben Hutton would be the hero, scoring the overtime winner for Vancouver, unassisted at 2:34.
In brief:
Canucks tied 0-0 after one; tied 2-2 after two periods
Vancouver out shot Arizona 42-36
Canucks penalty kill, 1 for 2
3 shots against; 1 shot for; 0 shorthanded goals for
Vancouver power play, 1 for 2
5 shots for; 1 shots against; 0 shorthanded goals against
Next Game: Nov 19, 2016: Chicago Blackhawks at Vancouver @7:00 p.m. PST
Canucks Post Game Stats
Regular Season Game 18, Home Game 10
Final Score 1 2 3 OT SO F
Ari 0 2 0 0 2
Van 0 2 0 1 3
Records:
Ari: 5-9-2 (Road: 2-6-1)
Van: 7-10-1 (Home: 6-4-0)
Stats:SF SA PPPKPIM CF CA SCF SCA HITS
Ari 36 42 1-2 1-2 4 55(47) 69(60) 20(17) 24(19) 33
Van 42 36 1-2 1-2 4 69(60) 55(47) 24(19) 20(17) 23 5v5 stats in parenthesis for CF & CA SCF=scoring chances for; SCA=scoring chances against.
Event summary:
Vancouver had 14-blocked shots; 7-giveaways; 4-takeaways, 14-shot attempts blocked and 13-missed shots
By Andrew Chernoff
