The Washington Capitals signed 2024 second-round draft pick Cole Hutson to a three-year, entry-level contract on Sunday.
Hutson arrived in DC late on Sunday and will be practicing with his new teammates for the first time on Tuesday morning. He has chosen to wear jersey number 44 with the Capitals.
Hutson wore number 44 with the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA during both his freshman and sophomore seasons. He also wore it for Team USA at the World Junior Championship earlier this year, though he has also worn number 24 in the past when representing his country.
At the past two development camps, Hutson has been given the number 39. No current Capitals player wears 39.
Hutson will be the 10th player in the Capitals’ franchise history to wear the number 44 and the first since Brooks Orpik wore it from 2015 through 2019. The other Caps to wear it include Igor Ulanov (1995), Richard Zednik (1997-01), Steve Eminger (2003-08), Staffan Kronwall (2009), Jason Arnott (2011), Brian Fahey (2011), Roman Hamrlik (2012-13), and Chris Brown (2014).
Hutson could make his NHL debut wearing the number as soon as Wednesday night against the Ottawa Senators.
