Cole Hutson‘s NHL debut was a night to remember.
The 19-year-old defenseman scored his first NHL goal to help seal a 4-1 Washington Capitals victory over the Ottawa Senators. After an already impressive performance, Hutson capped off the evening by firing a puck into Ottawa’s empty net with just 26 seconds remaining in regulation.
Joined up the ice by Connor McMichael and Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, Hutson shot the puck only after McMike, from the left side of the ice, began pointing at the net and urging Cole to be selfish. Ovechkin was the first to embrace Hutson in the goal hug as McMichael detoured to grab the milestone puck.
“Yeah, I was pumped,” Hutson said postgame. “Didn’t really want to shoot it, to be honest. I was looking to pass the whole time, but you got to get your first one eventually. So, just happy it went in.”
Hutson realized his childhood dream in front of his parents, Rob and Julie, who hugged and celebrated in the stands. His new goal song, “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis, blared over the Capital One Arena loudspeakers. The song, chosen with some help from Pierre-Luc Dubois, came out 45 years before he was born.
Hutson was named Third Star of the win. He is the second-youngest defenseman in franchise history (19y, 263d) to score in his debut, behind only Scott Stevens (18y, 188d). Before hitting the back of the net, he had already become the ninth-youngest defender in franchise history to make their debut.
The 2024 second-round pick is also just the sixth defenseman and the 17th player overall from his draft class to play in the NHL.
Here’s a full recap of his night.
Hutson’s arrival
Pregame, Hutson made his way into the arena wearing this year’s Cherry Blossom jersey.
Capitals tunnel and rookie lap
Hutson joined the Capitals for their noisy, boisterous tunnel shenanigans before warmups.
After being greeted by some loud “Woooos,” Hutson received a “Let’s go, kid” from captain Alex Ovechkin. Ovi then gave the youngster a gloved noogie and sent the helmetless Hutson onto the ice for his rookie lap.
Hutson fired two pucks into an empty net, a sign of things to come, and picked up a third before being joined on the ice by the rest of his teammates.
First shift and early chance creation
Hutson’s first shift lasted exactly one minute, and he helped keep a dominant spell in the offensive zone alive by filtering the puck around the point and making a timely pinch. The Capitals created at least two big chances down low and were prevented from opening the game’s scoring by a clutch shot block from Dennis Gilbert.
During his second shift, Hutson used his craftiness and guile to set Brandon Duhaime up for a chance. Later in the first period, he used his wheels to make a one-man zone entry and fire a pinpoint pass to Dylan Strome‘s tape for another chance.
Dominating his five-on-five ice time
Hutson skated 16:22 of ice time in his first game. He fired three total shots on goal, one finding the back of the net for his first career marker. Overall, he was credited with five individual shot attempts and one individual scoring chance.
With Hutson on the ice five-on-five, the Capitals dominated play, posting positive differentials in shot attempts (+10), shots on goal (+6), scoring chances (+3), and high-danger chances (+1). Outside of his power play work, Hutson achieved those numbers even though he did not receive a single offensive-zone shift start from head coach Spencer Carbery.
“I thought he was phenomenal,” Carbery said postgame. “I thought right from the first shift, we wanted to get him out there as quickly as we could and start him in the game. First shift was as good as we’ve had all year. I just watched it again.
“I think that sort of hopefully calmed the nerves for him because he didn’t look nervous after that at all. He did a lot of good things. I don’t know if you could have drawn up a better first game for Cole Hutson in a Washington Capitals jersey.”
The Capitals’ rookie already looked like one of the most dynamic players on the team’s roster and came away with the game score to prove that. Only Ovechkin and Trevor van Riemsdyk finished ahead of him.
Locker room speech
The rowdy Capitals gathered for Carbery’s typical post-win speech, which featured a host of praise for Hutson.
“You only get one of these in your lifetime,” Carbery said. “First career NHL goal”
After being handed his goal puck, Hutson was urged to give a speech by his teammates.
“Thanks for making it feel so special, boys,” Hutson said. “Thanks for welcoming me with open arms. Let’s keep this thing going.”
Photo with his milestone puck
Hutson posed with his first-goal puck after the game. It took his older brother Lane Hutson 31 games to score his first goal with the Montreal Canadiens.
Hutson is only the second Capitals player to make their NHL debut this season and the first to score their first career goal. Bogdan Trineyev played in two December games but could not find the scoresheet.
