Cole Hutson is officially a go tonight as the United States’ World Junior Championship team plays Finland in a do-or-die quarterfinal game. Puck drop is at 6 pm (EST).
The Washington Capitals’ top prospect defenseman is back after missing the past two games due to an upper-body injury he suffered on Dec. 27 against Switzerland. Hutson was struck in the back of the head with a shot as he skated across the ice, losing consciousness and being stretchered off the ice.
“I feel pretty good,” Hutson said after Thursday’s practice to NHL.com’s Mike Morreale. “I’m just waiting it out to see if I’m fully ready to come back. Obviously, a pretty scary situation, so just want to make sure I feel 100 percent before making the jump back into play.”
According to Chris Peters, Hutson will go in while the US will scratch Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen and Brady Knowling. Max Plante (DET) remains injured and is day-to-day.
The Americans went 1-1 without Hutson in two group-stage games, defeating Slovakia 6-5 on Dec. 29 and losing to Sweden 6-3 on Dec. 31. They were outscored in those matchups, 11-9.
Hutson comes into tonight’s game just one point shy of tying Erik Johnson (14) for the USA’s all-time World Juniors defense scoring lead. With two assists against Germany in his first game this year, Hutson already tied the US record for career assists by a defenseman at the tournament, held by Ryan Suter (10).
Hutson led Team USA in ice time in his only full game in the tournament, skating 24:20 in a 6-3 win. He had been skating on the team’s top pair next to Buffalo Sabres prospect Adam Kleber.
The US team is looking to win an unprecedented third straight gold medal and do so for the first time on home ice.
