VANCOUVER, British Columbia ”“ Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced recently that the Canucks have signed defenseman Ben Hutton. Hutton recently completed his junior season with the Maine Black Bears.

Hutton had 21 points via nine goals and 12 assists this past season for the Black Bears. He played in 108 career games for Maine, including 85 consecutive games to end his career. He scored 28 goals and added 38 assists for 66 career points from the blueline.

Hutton had a record-setting sophomore season at Maine. He was named a Second Team All-American following the 2013-14 season, where he also earned Hockey East First Team Honors. He was the recipient of the Bob Monahan Award, presented to the top defenseman in New England. He was also named to the All-New England Team. Hutton set the school record for goals in a season by a defenseman with 15. He became the first defenseman in Maine history to lead the team in goals scored. He led the nation in goals scored by a defenseman and in power play goals by a defenseman.

Hutton also excelled in the classroom at Maine as he was named a Maine Scholar-Athlete Award winner and also named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team.

Hutton was selected by Vancouver 147th overall in the 2012 draft.