Washington Capitals prospect Cole Hutson was stretchered off the ice at the 2026 World Junior Championship on Saturday after being struck in the back of the head by a shot.
Hutson immediately fell to the ice and needed to be immobilized on a backboard before he was transported by ambulance to a local Minnesota hospital. The scary moment occurred with 8:59 remaining in the second period, meaning Hutson’s USA teammates had to finish the contest without knowing the status of one of their best friends.
Team USA teammate Cole Eiserman, who also plays with Hutson at Boston University, held Hutson’s hand as he was down on the ice. The two run a coffee review TikTok page together.
“Yeah, it’s obviously tough,” Eiserman told FloHockey postgame. “He’s probably my best buddy, really close with him. I didn’t really know what happened. I just saw him on the ice, and he was just saying he couldn’t really move. Grabbed his hand, tried to make sure if he was able to squeeze it, and he could move his feet and stuff. Obviously, horrible to see. Hope to see him tonight and just prayers for him.”
Eiserman added that he texted Cole’s older brother, Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson, to get an update on Cole after the game. The elder Hutson indicated that everything at the hospital was positive.
Hutson had 13:04 of ice time before the injury after receiving a game-high 24:20 TOI in Team USA’s first game against Germany. Hutson recorded two assists and three shots on goal.
“He’s the backbone,” Eiserman said. “He logs the most minutes for us. Seeing one of your best friends go down like that, not knowing what’s going to happen. You kinda just shut off, blinders go on. You don’t even really realize you’re in a rink and it’s just him and me down there, and I’m just trying to hold his hand and make sure he’s alright. Was happy to hear him talk and move.”
Almost immediately after the on-ice officials restarted play, the Americans gave up a goal to the Swiss, tying the game at one tally apiece. While unfortunate for Team USA, the goal against seemed to snap the group back into focus, and they regained the lead just 2:06 later via a goal from Will Zellers.
“It’s tough with all those stoppages and everything and a lot of emotions,” Eiserman said. “We’re a pretty resilient group. We’re trying to play for each other, and that’s all that mattered after that. We kinda just tried to put our heads down, play for Hutty.”
“Scary thing, especially someone you’re so tight with,” captain Brodie Ziemer told NHL Network’s JP Morosi. “Obviously, a little bit of a shock, but good job by the group to kinda shake it off and continue on.”
The Americans were able to close out the game from there, holding on for a 2-1 win that put them atop Group A at the end of the tournament’s second day. With Hutson out, the USA staff was forced to go with a more defense-by-committee approach, pushing Adam Kleber to his off-hand side and using seventh defender EJ Emery in a more regular role.
“Obviously, it’s pretty emotional for a guy like that, such a big leader, and someone that a lot of guys look up to,” Emery said postgame. “It’s great to get the win for him and emotional that the (US flag) is going up and he’s not with us. But, we know he’s going to be okay, and he’s going to bounce back.”
After arriving at the hospital, Hutson was promptly discharged and returned to Grand Casino Arena to be with his teammates. USA Hockey eventually put out a statement on their social media channels, indicating that Hutson is considered out “day-to-day” and will be reevaluated in the coming days.
“He’s back with us right now; we’ll know more in the morning,” head coach Bob Motzko said. “That’s a real good sign that he was released. He’s with his teammates right now. There’s no question [it was emotional]. It sets you back. These guys care deeply about each other, and he’s been such a big part of the program.”
Hutson is a favorite to be the top defender at this year’s tournament and remains just one point away from tying Erik Johnson (14) for the USA’s all-time defense scoring lead.
After playing on back-to-back days to begin the action in Minnesota, Team USA has Sunday off before getting back on the ice Monday night. They’ll face a strong Slovakia team that took down the Germans 4-1 on Saturday.
