Cole Hutson is going back to college next year.
The 18-year-old defenseman announced on his Instagram account Friday afternoon that he’ll be sticking around for his sophomore season at Boston University. Hutson cited his desire to chase a national championship after the Terriers made it to the 2025 NCAA national title game this year but fell 6-2 to Western Michigan.
“Grateful for everything @terrierhockey has given me on and off the ice, The Fans, The @bu_dogpound, My Teammates, My Coaches and memories for a life time,” Hutson wrote. “It’s time to chase an opportunity I’ve dreamed about my whole life…. Another Chance to win a National Championship.”
Hutson finished the 2024-25 campaign as the top freshman in the nation, winning the 2025 Tim Taylor Award as NCAA Rookie of the Year and being the only freshman out of the 24 players selected to the East/West First and Second-Teams. He posted 48 points (14g, 34a) in 39 games, six more points than the next-best freshman and 22 more points than the next-best freshman defenseman.
The Washington Capitals drafted Hutson in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft (43rd overall) after acquiring the pick from the Buffalo Sabres in a trade for forward Beck Malenstyn. To sign with the Caps this spring, Hutson would have needed to forego the rest of his college eligibility and likely start in the AHL with the Hershey Bears on an amateur tryout agreement.
Hutson will also be eligible to play in the 2026 World Juniors for Team USA after winning gold last January at his first tournament and becoming the first defenseman in World Juniors history to lead in points. He could win back-to-back golds and then end the year signing with the Caps, just like Ryan Leonard did this season.
The Terriers are expected to be a good team again next season under head coach Jay Pandolfo. The team is adding several high-ranked commits to their roster next year, including NHL draft picks Jonathan Morello and Jack Pridham. Fellow NHL draftees Cole Eiserman, Aiden Celebrini, Mikhail Yegorov, and Brandon Svoboda will likely join Hutson in returning for another season.
