Cole Hutson is an American defenceman for the Washington Capitals, drafted 43rd overall in 2024, and at the 2025 World Juniors he became the first defenceman to lead the tournament outright in scoring. He left Boston University in March 2026 and scored in his NHL debut days later. He is the younger brother of Montreal’s Lane Hutson, and one of four hockey-playing brothers.
| Fast facts: Cole Hutson | |
|---|---|
| Current team | Washington Capitals |
| Position | Defence |
| Shoots | Left |
| Born | 28 June 2006, North Barrington, Illinois |
| Height / weight | 5’11” / 172 lbs, per the Capitals |
| Drafted | 2024, second round, 43rd overall, Washington Capitals |
| Contract status | Three-year entry-level contract signed 15 March 2026, running through 2027-28 at an average annual value of $975,000 |
| Jersey | No. 44 |
Is Cole Hutson related to Lane Hutson?
Yes. Cole Hutson is Lane Hutson’s younger brother, and they are two of four brothers who all play hockey. Their parents are Rob and Julie Hutson.
| Brother | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Quinn Hutson | Forward | Edmonton Oilers |
| Lane Hutson | Defence | Montreal Canadiens |
| Cole Hutson | Defence | Washington Capitals |
| Lars Hutson | Defence | Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) |
Lane won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year in 2025, with 66 points in 82 games, and later signed an eight-year extension with Montreal. Cole Hutson’s ten points in his first 14 NHL games came at 0.71 a game. Lane’s Calder season came at 0.80.
“I’ve always had big shoes to fill my whole life,” Cole told NHL.com in August 2026. “So, it’s just another one of those things where our parents are super proud of us and it’s just a lot of fun to get going.”
What happened to Cole Hutson at the World Juniors?
At the 2025 World Junior Championship, Cole Hutson scored 11 points in seven games and became the first defenceman to lead the tournament outright in scoring, as the United States, with James Hagens up front, won gold. At the 2026 tournament he was stretchered off after a puck hit him in the back of the head against Switzerland on 27 December 2025, missed two games and returned for the quarter-final against Finland on 2 January 2026.
He had a goal and an assist in that quarter-final, which the United States lost 4-3 in overtime. The two points set Team USA’s career World Junior records for a defenceman, with 15 points and 11 assists. “World class, vision, the shot. There’s just so much. Everything that he does is exceptional,” said David Carle, the US coach at the 2025 tournament.
Before the World Juniors he won gold at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge in the 2022-23 season, gold at the 2023 U18 World Championship with 12 points, and silver at the 2024 U18 World Championship, where he was named best defenceman.
What are Cole Hutson’s career stats?
Cole Hutson spent two seasons in the US National Team Development Program and two at Boston University before turning professional in March 2026.
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | US National U17 Team | USNTDP | 42 | 8 | 34 | 42 |
| 2022-23 | US National U18 Team | USNTDP | 19 | 2 | 24 | 26 |
| 2023-24 | US National U18 Team | USNTDP | 51 | 15 | 36 | 51 |
| 2024-25 | Boston University | NCAA | 39 | 14 | 34 | 48 |
| 2025-26 | Boston University | NCAA | 35 | 10 | 22 | 32 |
| 2025-26 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 14 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
He left the development program with 119 points in 112 games, a record for a defenceman that passed J.D. Forrest’s 111. At Boston University he won the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA’s top rookie in 2024-25, one year after Macklin Celebrini won it for the same school, and he was a First Team All-American and winner of the Bob Monahan Award in both his seasons. He was MVP of the 2025 Beanpot, where his goal put Boston University ahead 2-1 in a 4-1 final win over Boston College. In 2025-26 he led Boston University in points, assists and shots, the Capitals noted when they signed him.
What happened in Cole Hutson’s NHL debut?
Cole Hutson scored. On 18 March 2026 against Ottawa, three days after signing, he put an empty-net power-play goal away with 26 seconds left in a 4-1 Washington win, the same game in which Alex Ovechkin scored his 922nd NHL goal. According to the Capitals blog RMNB, the goal made Cole and Lane one of three brother pairs in 30 years to each record a point in their NHL debut.
“I thought he was phenomenal,” head coach Spencer Carbery said afterwards, and he rated Hutson’s first shift as good as any Washington had had all season. Washington went on to miss the playoffs in 2025-26.
Why did Cole Hutson fall in the draft?
By NHL Central Scouting’s measure, Cole Hutson did not fall. Central Scouting ranked him No. 55 before the 2024 draft, and Washington took him 43rd, in the second round. Lane had also gone in the second round, 62nd overall in 2022. Washington general manager Chris Patrick described Cole’s game as “high end skill level coupled with high-end vision.”
What is Cole Hutson’s contract?
Cole Hutson signed a three-year entry-level contract with Washington on 15 March 2026, with an average annual value of $975,000 according to the Capitals. The deal began in 2025-26, when he played 14 games, so it runs through 2027-28. He is due to become a restricted free agent in 2028, according to PuckPedia’s contract data.
Will Cole Hutson play for the Capitals in 2026-27?
Going into 2026-27 training camp, he was expected to. NHL.com’s 32 in 32 preview projected him in Washington’s opening-night lineup, and he had quarterbacked Washington’s second power-play unit from his debut. The Capitals scheduled rookie camp in Annapolis for 13 to 15 September, with main camp opening on 17 September. Because he played only 14 NHL games in 2025-26, he is eligible for the Calder Trophy in 2026-27. Our guide to how to watch the Washington Capitals has the channels.
Where is Cole Hutson from, and how tall is he?
Cole Hutson was born on 28 June 2006 in North Barrington, Illinois, northwest of Chicago. Boston University listed his hometown as Chicago.
The Capitals list him at 5’11” and 172 lbs, and Boston University had him at 5’11” and 171 lbs.
