United States star defenseman Cole Hutson was taken off the Grand Casino Arena ice on a stretcher after he took a shot to his upper body in the second period of the Americans’ game against Switzerland at the World Junior Championship on Saturday, Dec. 27.
Hutson, who wasn’t facing the puck as he trailed a Switzerland forward in front of the net, dropped to the ice after he was struck by a shot from Swiss defenseman Gian Meier. Hutson moved his legs but remained on the ice as medical staff brought out a stretcher and a headboard.
United States coach Bob Motzko said after his team’s 2-1 victory that Hutson was not hit in the head. The NHL Network reported that Hutson was taken to a hospital for further evaluation.
The Boston University defender and North Barrington, Ill., native, was a second-round pick by the Washington Capitals in 2024. He has two brothers playing professionally: Lane is with the Montreal Canadiens, and Quinn is a prospect for the Edmonton Oilers who scored his first career NHL goal on Dec. 18
Hutson, the star at last year’s World Juniors tournament, has 10 assists and three goals in nine career World Juniors games. His 10 assists are tied with former Wild star Ryan Suter for the most assists by a Team USA defender in the event’s history, and he is one point shy of former Gopher Erik Johnson’s record for most points by an American defenseman.
