John Carlson was the top-scoring defenseman for Team USA at the 2010 World Junior Championship. His seven points (4g, 3a) in seven games were recently matched and surpassed by Cole Hutson, who became the first defenseman to ever lead the whole tournament in scoring with 11 points (3g, 8a) in seven games.
Carlson, who has not scored a goal for the Washington Capitals since November 27, appears to be taking some inspiration from Hutson, a 2024 Washington second-round draft pick, to try and spark his scoring.
The 34-year-old defender was spotted at Monday’s morning skate using the same intricate diamond puck marks on his stick blade tape that Hutson used in his gold-medal-winning performance on Sunday night.
Respect from one American #WorldJuniors legend to another 🫡 pic.twitter.com/VpTKlkYEKT
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 6, 2025
Hutson became the first Capitals defense prospect to score in a gold medal game for Team USA since Carlson scored the 2010 golden goal to down Canada in overtime. Hutson’s goal tied the game 3-3 and was assisted by fellow Caps prospect Ryan Leonard.
Hutson was likely inspired by Leonard, who also does the markings on his blade. The 19-year-old winger told RMNB at Development Camp that he does so for no purpose other than to have fun. He began doing the ritual at Boston College while linemates with Gabe Perreault, who first introduced him to it.
“Honestly, I can’t really look at my stick anymore if there’s not really a puck mark on it or anything,” Leonard said in July.
Now, before Leonard has even reached Washington full time, the designs have made their way back into the Capitals’ locker room through Carlson. The veteran rearguard likely picked it up as he watched the USA-Finland final while in Buffalo for Monday night’s game against the Sabres.
“Yeah, it shows how good of a spot USA Hockey’s in, and it certainly was fun,” Carlson told Mike Vogel. “It’s a fun tournament to watch all the time, but this one was fun with our guys in it. [They] put on a great show and came home with gold – was enormous, and was exciting staying up last night to watch it.”
The Capitals had six different prospects play in this year’s World Juniors on five teams. Outside of Hutson and Leonard winning gold, Petr Sikora, a 2024 sixth-round pick, took home a bronze medal with Team Czechia.
“Yeah, it’s extremely exciting,” Carlson said. “Guys that you’ve met before and are looking forward to see come to fruition, and you can see the level of play. I mean, not just with the US guys, but all of them. I think it was a great showing from all of our guys, and that makes you excited as a player, knowing that these are the guys that are coming. It’s a pretty good spot to be in.”
Carlson and the Capitals will square off with the Sabres inside KeyBank Center at 7 pm. Carlson has previously scored four goals against the Sabres in his career.
