The Washington Capitals have long been known for having a great locker-room culture.
One of the newest additions to the group, rookie defender Cole Hutson, recently spoke about how that chemistry remains despite so many long-time Capitals departing in recent years.
Hutson was recently asked on Daily Faceoff’s Morning Cuppa Hockey about how he was welcomed into the team’s locker room after signing his entry-level contract in March.
“Yeah, I’ve said it before, but it’s one of the closest teams I’ve ever seen in my life,” Hutson said. “I haven’t played on many teams, but it’s up there for sure. I think what’s so different about the team is there’s no groups within the team. If one guy is doing something, everyone’s invited to dinner. They make sure no one’s left out, and you can also be yourself. Personalities like Brandon Duhaime are unbelievable in the locker room just to be around. And yeah, he was a lot of fun, especially.”
Hutson joined the Capitals on March 15 after his sophomore season at Boston University. The Caps immediately did their best to make him feel comfortable, with veteran center Pierre-Luc Dubois even welcoming him into his home so he wouldn’t have to live out of a hotel at the start of his NHL career.
The brotherly love continued onto the ice when Connor McMichael refused to take a pass from Hutson, so that the 19-year-old blueliner could score his first career goal into an empty net. Hutson also renewed acquaintances with his Team USA teammate Ryan Leonard, with whom he will be roommates next year, and played Fortnite with Leonard and Brandon Duhaime in his free time.
Duhaime, who Hutson explicitly mentioned as a standout presence in the locker room, is one of the most beloved players on the club’s roster. The 28-year-old winger, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer, has earned a reputation as the team’s top prankster, jokester, and one of the guys the Capitals turn to when someone other than Tom Wilson needs to drop the gloves.
The Capitals are set to continue adding new, young talent to their roster in the coming years, so the culture, shaped by Wilson, captain Alex Ovechkin, and former Caps like John Carlson, TJ Oshie, and Nicklas Backstrom, will be important to maintain.
