Cole Hutson has officially arrived.
The 19-year-old defender hit the ice at MedStar Capitals Iceplex on Tuesday morning for the first time since signing his entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals.
Hutson practiced with his new teammates ahead of the Capitals’ game against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night.
At the skate, the mystery of who might be Hutson’s first defense partner was solved, as head coach Spencer Carbery had the 2024 second-round pick playing with Matt Roy.
“He’s kind of going with the flow, to be honest,” Roy said. “He picks things up quick, and he’s got the confidence, and he’s got that puck-moving ability, so it’ll be fun to watch. I think he’s bringing something that we’re looking for, and I think just like all the fans, we’re excited to see him out there and ready to move forward.”
Roy, 31, has recently served as one of the club’s alternate captains after John Carlson was traded to the Anaheim Ducks at the deadline.
“I think it’s just a good right-shot partner for him,” Carbery said. “Just to start with, we’ll see where it goes. I’m sure we’ll move some things around. But I think he’s a veteran presence, right shot, can help Cole through games, on the bench, in between periods, on the ice, and shifts. Good veteran leader to start your career.”
With Hutson jumping in on the left side of defense, Carbery has moved Rasmus Sandin to the right of Martin Fehervary. Sandin has already played a few games this season on his off-hand side.
Capitals lines and pairings at Cole Hutson’s first practice
Hutson also took reps with the team’s second power play unit, serving as the quarterback of the group in the same spot that Jakob Chychrun takes up on the first unit.
The Boston University product is well accustomed to running a power play, as he’s done so for both the Terriers and Team USA over the past two seasons.
Carbery would not confirm whether Hutson would make his NHL debut against the Senators, but did say that if he does feature, he will see immediate time on the power play. Hutson has been prolific offensively in college, racking up 80 points (24g, 46a) in 74 games.
If Hutson does make his debut, he’ll be just the second Capitals player to do so this season, following Russian winger Bogdan Trineyev.
