Cole Hutson will make his highly anticipated NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night after completing his collegiate career at Boston University.
The 19-year-old defenseman arrives in the NHL with a lot of hype and high expectations after being a dominant player at the World Juniors and in the NCAA, with many considering him the best college defenseman over the last two seasons. He follows in the footsteps of his 22-year-old older brother Lane Hutson, an elite, top-pairing defenseman with the Montreal Canadiens. After making his NHL debut late during the 2023-24 season, Lane won the Calder Trophy, as NHL Rookie of the Year, during his first full campaign in the league after posting 66 points (6g, 60a) in 82 games.
Naturally, fans will compare Cole to Lane. So, on Wednesday, after the team’s morning skate, Cole was asked by Monumental Sports Network’s Joe Beninati if he believed their games were alike.
“I think we’re very similar,” Cole said. “I think offensively, we see the same plays, but we make them differently. He’s kind of skating it. He knows the next play that’s going to happen when the puck’s on his stick, and he tries to skate himself into it and make it, and I kind of let the play come to me, and I make it. He’s obviously a lot shiftier, and I think I’m smoother. But, yeah, I’d kill to be able to move like him out there.”
Both Hutson brothers had similar paths to the NHL. They both played two seasons at Boston University and were point-per-game players, ranking above some of the best current American NHL defensemen. Lane posted more points overall, but both Hutson brothers led BU in points one season each: Lane had 48 points as a freshman during the 2022-23 NCAA season while Cole had 32 points during his sophomore year in 2025-26.
Active NHL defensemen’s college point production
| Player | GP | Pts | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lane Hutson | 77 | 97 | 1.26 |
| Zeev Buium | 83 | 98 | 1.18 |
| Luke Hughes | 80 | 87 | 1.09 |
| Cole Hutson | 74 | 80 | 1.08 |
| Adam Fox | 64 | 68 | 1.06 |
| Jake Sanderson | 45 | 41 | 0.91 |
| Quinn Hughes | 69 | 62 | 0.90 |
| Zach Werenski | 71 | 61 | 0.86 |
| Charlie McAvoy | 75 | 51 | 0.68 |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 77 | 48 | 0.62 |
Ahead of signing with the Capitals, Cole leaned on Lane for advice, as the two had a lengthy conversation.
“Probably was on the phone with Lane for three hours [on Monday], just talking about how I got to play and just what to do and what not to do,” Cole said. “[He told me to] just keep my head up at all times. Just everyone, obviously, everyone tries to kill him out there. He said it could almost be the same for me.”
Hopefully, like Lane, Cole is the one who does the slicing and dicing, cutting up opposing teams’ defenses with his skating and playmaking ability.
