Cole Hutson

Cole Hutson (born June 28, 2006) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 43rd overall, by the Capitals in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Playing career Junior In the 2022–23 season, Hutson set the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) record for single-season points by a defenseman with 68 points in 61 games. The following season, he totaled 15 goals and 51 points in 51 games, finishing his NTDP career as the all-time leader in program points by a defenseman, with his 119 points eclipsing the previous record of 111 set by J. D. Forrest over three seasons from 1997 to 2000.

Professional On March 15, 2026, Hutson signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Capitals. He made his NHL debut on March 18 in a 4–1 regulation win against the Ottawa Senators, recording his first career goal, an empty-net goal on the power play, in the game's final minute.

International play

Hutson represented the United States at the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where he recorded nine assists in seven games and won a gold medal.

Hutson represented the United States at the 2023 World U18 Championships, leading all defensemen with 12 points. He and the United States team dominated the event, going undefeated en route to a gold medal, with a final goal differential of +41. He again represented the United States at the 2024 World U18 Championships, where he recorded four goals and nine assists in seven games and won a silver medal. He subsequently won the IIHF directorate award for best defenseman, despite nearly missing the tournament due to a sprained ankle from which he had not fully recovered. On December 24, 2025, he was again selected to represent the United States at the 2026 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. On December 27, 2025, during a preliminary round game against Switzerland, Hutson was struck in the back of the head by the puck. He remained on the ice for several minutes before being placed on a backboard and taken off on a stretcher. He returned during the quarterfinals and recorded one goal and one assist, but the United States was eliminated by Finland in overtime. With his four points in the tournament, he set a Team USA record for the most career World Juniors points (15) and assists (11) by a defenseman.

Personal life Hutson has three brothers, Quinn, Lane, and Lars. The former two also played college ice hockey at Boston University. Quinn is a forward under contract to the Edmonton Oilers, and Lane is a defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2022–23 U.S. National Development Team USHL 32 4 21 25 52 — — — — — 2023–24 U.S. National Development Team USHL 19 3 9 12 14 — — — — — 2024–25 Boston University HE 39 14 34 48 64 — — — — — 2025–26 Boston University HE 35 10 22 32 26 — — — — — 2025–26Washington CapitalsNHL1437108—————NHL totals 14 3 7 10 8 — — — — —

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2022 United States U17 7 0 9 9 4 2023 United States U18 7 1 11 12 8 2024 United States U18 7 4 9 13 6 2025 United States WJC 7 3 8 11 2 2026 United States WJC 5th 3 1 3 4 0Junior totals 31 9 40 49 20

Awards and honors Award Year RefCollege First Team All-Hockey East 2025, 2026 Hockey East All-Rookie Team 2025 Hockey East Rookie of the Year 2025 Tim Taylor Award 2025 AHCA East First Team All-American 2025, 2026 International World U18 Championship – Media All-Star team 2023, 2024 World U18 Championship – Best Defenseman 2024