With the 2025 World Junior Championship fast approaching, Team USA is putting together a pre-WJC roster to find their final 25 players. The selection camp, occurring in mid-December, will be held in Plymouth, Michigan.
Per The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler, Cole Hutson, a 2024 second-round draft selection of the Washington Capitals, has received an invite to the camp.
Hutson is in the middle of his freshman season with Boston University after playing several years in the US National Development Team program. The 18-year-old blueliner has recorded eight points (2g, 6a) in his first 12 NCAA games.
The Missouri native tallied 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.
Hutson 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 won a silver medal at the tournament, falling to Team Canada 6-4 in the final.
Cole’s older brother, Lane Hutson, played for the US at last year’s premier under-20 World Junior Championship. The elder Hutson is a mainstay on the Montreal Canadiens’ blueline this season, posting 12 points (12a) in 22 NHL games.
Fellow Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard will assuredly join Cole at the camp in December. Leonard helped Team USA secure the gold medal last year and has 17 points (11g, 6a) in 13 games for the Boston College Eagles this season.
The 2025 WJC will officially begin on December 26 in Ottawa.
