A scary incident involving one of the best young prospects happened in St. Paul.
On Saturday night, in a game between the United States and Switzerland, Team USA defenseman Cole Hutson was stretchered off the ice as a result of being hit by a shot.
The incident happened near the halfway mark of the second period. A shot from Swiss defenseman Gian Meier ended up hitting Hutson in the back of the head, knocking the Washington Capitals draft pick to the ice.
Cole Hutson had to be stretchered off the ice after taking a puck to the head vs. Switzerland. 🙏 #WorldJuniors
Hutson was immediately attended to by training staff, and it was determined that a stretcher was needed to help him off the ice. The North Barrington, Ill. native eventually left the arena in an ambulance and was taken to a nearby hospital. No update on his condition has been given.
The Boston University product had a great performance in the Americans’ World Juniors opener against Germany on Boxing Day. Along with being one of the team’s on-ice leaders, Hutson registered a pair of assists in a 6-3 victory.
This is Hutson’s second consecutive appearance at the WJC. Last year, he was a key cog in helping the Americans win a second straight gold medal. In seven games, he scored three goals and eight assists for 11 points, leading the tournament in assists and points by a blueliner. It was the third gold medal of his international career, as Hutson led the U.S. to the top of the podium at the 2022 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge and 2023 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. He also won silver at the U-18s in 2024.
Hutson has been having another solid season at BU. After winning the Tim Taylor Award as the best freshman in the NCAA, he has scored seven goals and 13 assists for 20 points in 18 games with the Terriers thus far.
Hutson was taken by the Capitals in the second round, 43rd overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft.
