Cole Hutson, one of the Washington Capitals’ second-round picks in the 2024 NHL Draft, scored his first career NCAA goal in Boston University’s 5-2 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday night.
Hutson found the back of the net 8:30 into the second period to give the Terriers a 3-0 lead.
Showing off his skill and skating, Hutson sped down the left wing to beat Holy Cross goaltender Thomas Gale five hole for the tally.
Hutson is playing his freshman season with BU after spending the last two years in the US National Development Team Program. The 18-year-old defender is playing on a BU team featuring his brother Quinn Hutson, who had three assists in the win. Their other brother, Lane Hutson, played the past two seasons for BU until he left for the Montreal Canadiens at the end of last year.
“My first game [at Agganis Arena], and it’s definitely an experience of a lifetime,” Hutson said postgame. “It’s obviously pretty nice to get [my first goal] out of the way early. I was pretty anxious to get out there for my first shift. Once you get the first one out of the way, you kinda settle down a little bit, and it’s just really fun.”
Hutson recorded 51 points (15g, 36a) in 51 games for the US U18 team last season. He chipped in an additional 12 points (3g, 9a) in 19 games for the team in the USHL.
The Missouri native also starred for Team USA at the most recent U18 World Championship, ranking second on the team in scoring with 13 points (4g, 9a) in seven games. The US took home the silver medal at the tournament after falling to Team Canada 6-4 in the final.
Hutson will likely represent the US again this season, but at the premier U20 World Junior Championship, where he’ll be teammates with fellow Capitals prospect and Boston College forward Ryan Leonard. However, the two prospects will be bitter enemies during their college seasons, as their two schools are scheduled to face off in the classic Green Line Rivalry at least twice.
