Cole Hutson
Cole Hutson is an American college ice hockey defenseman for Boston University of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He was selected in the second round, 43rd overall, by the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL entry draft.
Playing career
Junior
In the 2022–23 season, Hutson set the USA Hockey National [Team Development Program] 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.College
During the 2024–25 [NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season|2024–25 season], in his rookie year, he recorded 14 goals and 33 assists in 38 games. He led all rookies in points and assists, and led all NCAA rookies and defensemen in points per game. Following the season he was named to the First Team All-Hockey East and Hockey East All-Rookie teams, the Hockey East Rookie of the Year, the Tim Taylor Award winner, and an AHCA AHCA All-American Teams|East First Team All-American].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 that he had not fully recovered from.
Hutson represented the United States men's national [junior ice hockey team|United States] at the 2025 World [Junior Ice Hockey Championships] where he became the first defenseman to lead the tournament in points with 3 goals and 8 assists in 7 games, a national team record for most points by a defenseman at the World Juniors, on his way to winning the gold medal. 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, however, 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 and assists by a defenseman.