-
Greg Wishynski
Cole Hutson, a standout defenseman for the U.S. World Junior team, was taken off the ice and briefly hospitalized after being hit by a puck in Saturday night’s IIHF World Junior Championship preliminary round game against Switzerland in St. Paul, Minnesota.
USA Hockey said Hutson was released from a local hospital and rejoined his teammates on the field. He is considered day to day.
With 8:59 left in the second period, a shot from Swiss defenseman Gian Meier hit Hutson near the back of his helmet, sending him falling to the ice on his side. Teammates immediately surrounded Hutson, who was removed from the ice on a stretcher.
USA coach Bob Motzko said he did not believe the puck hit Hutson’s head.
The coach praised his team for staying focused after the incident, as the US held a 1–0 lead over the Swiss at the time. The United States took a 2–0 lead in the tournament after winning the preliminary round game.
“It was a scary situation, there’s no doubt about it,” Motzko said. “It’s a very close-knit group of people, and they responded. It shocks you. The building was silent. But the good news is he was released and he’s back with us.”
Hutson, 19, is in his second season at Boston University after leading all first-year players in points (46) and assists (32) last season. He was a member of the U.S. team that won world junior gold at the 2025 tournament in Ottawa, and became the first defenseman to lead the tournament in points (11).
Hutson is one of the top prospects for the Washington Capitals, who selected him 43rd overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. He is the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens defenseman Len Hutson, who won the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year last season.
