ST. PAUL — Cole Hutson was back with Team USA and is listed as day-to-day.
During the second period in a 2-1 win over Switzerland at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships, Hutson was hit in the back of the neck with a shot. He was stretchered off the ice and sent to the hospital.
U.S. coach Bob Motzko told the media on Sunday afternoon that Hutson rejoined the team about 30 minutes after the game ended. Hutson was at the Team USA practice but did not skate Sunday afternoon at TRIA Rink in St. Paul.
“He’s back with us. He had a smile on his face this morning when he got on the bus,” Motzko said. “We’ll talk with the medical people and go day-to-day.”
U.S. players and coaches remain optimistic that he will return to the lineup before the end of the tournament.
“We’re all scared. We talked about it last night,” Motzko said. “You don’t know what’s going on. He got looked at and was cleared to get back over here. Now it’s just day-to-day and hopefully we get him back.”
Boston University teammate Cole Eiserman said he’s been texting with Terriers head coach Jay Pandolfo over the last 24 hours about the injury. When Hutson was motionless on the ice, Eiserman was photographed by Getty photographer David Berding holding Hutson’s hand.
What a surreal portrait of USA forward Cole Eiserman (NYI) holding the hand of defenseman Cole Hutson (WSH) while he awaits medical attention after getting hit with the puck midway thru the 2nd period. The picture courtesy Getty photographer David Berding. pic.twitter.com/48eNxueSaA
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) December 28, 2025
“I wasn’t really a hockey player in that moment,” Eiserman said.
“I’ve known Hutty since he was ‘Little Hutty.’ He’s been the same kid and guy since we were 7 years old, 8 years old, before we could even start playing AAA. It’s been a long friendship that’s been growing and growing and growing. He’s one of my best friends for life.”
Huston is one of the most prolific WJC defenders in American history. He has three goals and 11 assists in nine WJC games over two years. He’s tied with Ryan Suter for the second-most points by an American defenseman in WJC play.
United States defenseman Adam Kleber (6) and United States defenseman Cole Hutson (44) celebrate a second-period goal with United States forward Cole Eiserman (34) on Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, during the World Junior Championship against Germany at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
Clint Austin / Duluth Media Group
Hutson has also had a prolific college career at BU.
The 5-foot-11, 172-pound, 43rd-overall pick by the Washington Capitals in 2024 had 14 goals and 34 assists for the Terriers in 2024-25. He has seven goals and 13 assists so far in his sophomore season.
“He’s one of the best defensemen in the world,” Motzko said. “That’s sports, man, it’s part of sports. The next guy’s got to step up. Everyone has to carry their weight as we trudge through this until we get him back in there.
“Tight group. They’re going to roll on. I think the fact that he’s back with us is a relief. We’re not worried about anything else. These are athletes, highly trained. He’s going to be inspirational to the guys.”
Hutson is a North Barrington, Illinois, native who played in the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2022 to 2024. He helped the U.S. earn its second consecutive gold medal at the 2025 WJC in Ottawa.
Motzko said that Hutson’s positive injury developments could provide a boost to the U.S. as it heads into its third preliminary game at 5 p.m. on Monday against Slovakia.
“We’ll take any boost we can get at any time,” he said. “Adversity hits every single team in this tournament. It’s how you handle it. Maybe this is ours? There’s probably more to come. You deal with it and move on.”
Full tournament coverage
Click on the image above to read comprehensive coverage of the 2026 World Junior Championship tournament.
Click on image to read comprehensive coverage of the 2026 World Junior Championship tournament.
Jared Rubado took over as sports editor at the Bemidji Pioneer in February 2023 after working as a sports reporter at the Alexandria Echo Press and sports editor of the Detroit Lakes Tribune, Perham Focus and Wadena Pioneer Journal newspaper group.
He graduated from Augustana University in 2018 with journalism and sports management degrees.
You can reach Jared at jrubado@bemidjipioneer.com or (218) 316-2613. Follow him on Twitter at @JaredRubadoBP.