Cole Hutson is alone atop the 2025 World Junior Championship’s scoring race after four games on day one of the tournament.
The 18-year-old defender led Team USA in scoring with five points, all assists, in a 10-4 rout of Germany to start Group A play. Hutson, a 2024 second-round draft selection of the Washington Capitals, is playing in his first under-20 World Juniors.
Top 10 scorers
| Player | Goals | Assists | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Hutson (USA) | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Axel Sandin Pellikka (SWE) | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| James Hagens (USA) | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Gabe Perreault (USA) | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Matthew Schaefer (CAN) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Ryan Leonard (USA) | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Miroslav Holinka (CZE) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Maxim Strbak (SVK) | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Brodie Ziemer (USA) | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Cole Eiserman (USA) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Hutson skated 20:48 of ice time in the win, second on the team, and finished a game-high plus-7. He also fired four shots on goal and was the USA’s quarterback on the second unit of their power play.
The Missouri native has been paired with University of Wisconsin rearguard Logan Hensler on the team’s second pairing.
First looks 👀
Game Preview → https://t.co/Ue4VrYh2a0#WorldJuniors | @WinmarkResale pic.twitter.com/siCZjJbeV6
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 26, 2024
Hutson and Ryan Leonard will next play for the USA on Saturday against fellow Capitals prospect Eriks Mateiko and Latvia.
