Capitals’ Cole Hutson to make NHL debut on Wednesday against Senators
A young and rising blueliner is set to step on big league ice for the first time.
On Wednesday night, defenseman Cole Hutson will make his NHL debut for the Washington Capitals as the team takes on the Ottawa Senators.
Cole Hutson will make his NHL debut tonight for the Capitals with his family, mom and dad, in tow.
Hutson signed his three-year, entry-level contract with the Capitals this past Sunday, less than 24 hours after he and the Boston University Terriers were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Men’s Hockey East Tournament on Saturday, ending the team’s season.
The 19-year-old is the third brother from the Hutson family to sign an NHL contract, joining Montreal Canadiens star and reigning Calder Trophy winner, Lane, and Edmonton Oilers forward Quinn.
Cole has become a rising star among the premier prospects in the game over the past few years. He helped the United States win the gold medal at the 2023 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship, leading the tournament in scoring by a defenseman. Hutson was picked by the Capitals in the second round, 43rd overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft, a couple of months after being named the best defenseman at the U-18 tournament.
With the Terriers, Hutson burst onto the college ranks in his rookie year. Along with being a first-team all-American, he won the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA’s rookie of the year. He helped the Terriers reach the national championship game, ultimately losing to Western Michigan last April.
Hutson scored 10 goals and 32 points in 35 games this past season. In 74 career appearances with the Terriers, he totaled 24 goals and 56 assists for 80 points.
Last season, Hutson played a key role in helping the U.S. come away with the gold at the IIHF World Junior Championship, leading the tournament with 11 points. He also posted four points in three appearances this year’s WJC, missing time after being stretchered off the ice during a game against Switzerland.
Washington (33-27-8) is sixth in the Metropolitan Division, eight points back of the last Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.