Team USA was not successful in their attempt to three-peat as gold medal winners at the 2026 World Junior Championship. The Americans fell 4-3 in overtime to Finland in the quarterfinals, leaving the tournament empty-handed for the first time since 2022.
The loss came despite the best efforts of Washington Capitals prospect Cole Hutson, who led the team in ice time (26:53) and factored in on two of their three goals. Hutson, who was returning from a two-game absence caused by taking a puck to the back of the head, was heartbroken about the defeat postgame.
“I rushed myself back and didn’t do enough to help the team win,” Hutson told NHL.com’s Mike Morreale.
When questioned what he meant by saying that he personally didn’t do enough to push the Americans to victory, Hutson replied matter-of-factly, “I don’t have a gold medal around my neck,” he said. “Could have scored a goal in OT. Could have done plenty of things better.”
Hutson scored the first goal of the game just 35 seconds into the second period. He then registered the primary assist on Cole Eiserman’s goal to put Team USA up 2-1 with 9:45 remaining in the frame. He finished the night with two points (1g, 1a) and two shots on goal.
“It was obviously huge having him back,” Eiserman told FloHockey postgame. “He did a really good job tonight. He’s our backbone, so it was really good to have him back and doing his thing out there. He did a really good job coming back, and it’s tough that we couldn’t give him another game.”
Finland eliminated the Americans with a goal just 2:11 into the 3-on-3 overtime period. Arttu Valila, who did not have a point coming into Friday’s game, beat goaltender Nick Kempf with a shot from the right faceoff circle.
“I won’t be back here next year, so just for the guys returning, just remember the feeling – it sucks,” Hutson said. “Just, I guess, hold our heads high, know that we gave it our all.”
Overall, in the tournament, Hutson recorded four points (1g, 3a) in three games. He finishes his under-20 World Juniors career as the USA’s all-time leading scorer for defensemen with 15 points (4g, 11a).
Hutson will now return to Boston University, where he is playing his sophomore season in the NCAA. In 18 games for the Terriers, the 19-year-old blueliner has recorded 20 points (7g, 13a). No other NCAA defenseman is producing at a higher rate than Hutson’s 1.11 points per game.
BU’s next non-exhibition game comes on January 9 against the UMass Minutemen. At the end of the 2025-26 campaign, Hutson will have a decision to make regarding his future, as the Capitals will likely offer him a three-year, entry-level contract. If he were to sign, he’d forego the rest of his college eligibility and immediately turn pro in the club’s organization.
