Oilers to sign Quinn Hutson to entry-level contract

The Boston University junior became available to be signed after his college hockey season came to an end on Saturday, as Hutson and the Terriers lost in the NCAA National Championship Game to Western Michigan.

After a couple of respectable seasons, which saw Hutson play in more of a supporting role as BU made it to the Frozen Four in back-to-back seasons, the North Barrington, Illinois native stepped into the spotlight, posting career highs in goals (23), assists (27) and points (50). Along with leading the Terriers in scoring, he finished ninth in the country in scoring. Hutson was named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team.

The 23-year-old’s play was good enough to help get BU back to the Frozen Four for a third consecutive season. He scored three points in the Toledo Regional, including the game-winning goal in overtime to beat Cornell in the regional final last month.

Huston finishes his NCAA career with 117 appearances in a BU uniform, scoring 56 goals and 58 assists for 114 points.

This is the second college free agent the Oilers have signed this season. Last month, the team signed Ohio State defenseman Damien Carfagna to a two-year, entry-level contract.

Hutson is the oldest of four Hutson brothers. He just finished up playing his second-youngest brother, Cole, a freshman at Boston University and a Washington Capitals draft pick. His oldest brother, Lane, is currently tearing things up with the Montreal Canadiens, while the youngest of the bunch, Lars, plays for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL.

The Oilers (46-28-5) are sitting third in the Pacific Division, with a fourth straight postseason matchup with the Los Angeles Kings on the horizon. Edmonton’s trying to leapfrog the Kings for home-ice advantage in the first round. L.A. leads the Oilers by four points with three games remaining.