Cole Hutson Injury Update
Cole Hutson is out of the hospital, back with Team USA, and listed as day-to-day after a scary puck to the head. USA Hockey shared an update on Cole Hutson via X, posting "@usahockey An update on Cole Hutson. #WorldJuniors," spotlighting the prospect amid World Juniors buzz.
This update comes right after the U.S. edged Switzerland 2-1 on Saturday, Dec. 27, at the 2026 World Juniors in Grand Casino Arena. USA Hockey confirmed he got released Saturday night, traveled with the team Sunday, and showed up at breakfast with a smile, per coach Bob Motzko.
"He's back with us," Motzko said, adding they'll chat with medical staff before deciding next steps. No major damage reported he moved his legs on the ice and squeezed a teammate's hand but everyone's holding breath until he skates again. The guy's a cornerstone for this squad, so fingers crossed for a quick bounce-back.
What Happened to Cole Hutson?
A shot from the right point nailed Cole Hutson in the neck or back of the head area with about nine minutes left in the second period clock showed 11:01 exactly. The 19-year-old defenseman crumpled immediately, lying still as medics rushed in, teammates hovered, and the arena went dead quiet. Switzerland tied it right after, but Will Zellers scored to put the U.S. up 2-1 for the win.
Mike Morreale on X reported medics attending to Cole Hutson, posting "@mikemorrealeNHL Medics working on Cole Hutson," amid the ongoing World Juniors developments.
That viral photo? Teammate Cole Eiserman longtime buddy from Boston University and nine years of friendship crawled over the boards, grabbed Hutson's hand, and got him to squeeze back. "I wasn't really a hockey player in that moment," Eiserman said. "Just wanted him to know I was there." Heartwarming stuff, like those raw teammate bonds that make juniors special. Stretcher came out, backboard strapped on, and off he went to the hospital for checks. Scary as heck, but he walked away from it.
When Will Cole Hutson Return?
No firm timeline yet Hutson remains day-to-day, off the ice at Sunday's practice but hanging with the group. Team USA had Sunday off and faces Slovakia tonight, Monday, Dec. 29, at 6 p.m. Motzko called it "a scary situation" that knocked everyone back, but praised the tight-knit response. "Injuries happen, next guy's got to step up," he noted, keeping spirits high.
Eiserman hopes for a return soon, especially since it's their last World Juniors together Hutson chasing records and all. If cleared, expect him ASAP; medical team's playing it safe after that helmet-area hit. USA Hockey's thankful for the care he got, and fans are buzzing with that hand-squeeze pic lighting up social feeds. Stay tuned tournament heats up quick.
Cole Hutson Stats
Hutson's a stud, plain and simple the U.S.'s top defenseman this year and Washington Capitals' second-round pick (2024 NHL Draft). At Boston University, he torched Hockey East last season with 46 points (32 assists) as a freshman, leading all rookies. World Juniors? He's got 13 points (3 goals, 10 assists) over nine games already, including two assists in the Germany opener.
One point shy of tying Erik Johnson's U.S. record for career defenseman points; one assist from passing Ryan Suter's all-time mark (10). Check this quick stat snapshot:
| Category | Hutson (Career WJ) | U.S. Record |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 13 (3G, 10A in 9 GP) | Erik Johnson (14) |
| Assists | 10 | Ryan Suter (10) |
Last year, he led all scorers with 11 points en route to U.S. gold. Kid's got NHL wheels lefty shot, elite vision. Losing him stings, but depth steps up. Imagine snagging those records in a medal push? Pure hockey drama.
The U.S. grinds on without him for now, but that brotherhood Eiserman's instinct, the silent rink shows why juniors captivates. Recent games prove resilience: 2-1 over Switzerland despite the chaos. Fresh off hospital release, Hutson's smile says he's fighting back. Tournament updates roll in fast Slovakia tonight could shake the standings.
Disclaimer: The information provided above is based on official statements from USA Hockey, team officials, and publicly available reports at the time of writing. Injury status, recovery timelines, and player availability can change rapidly depending on medical evaluations and tournament decisions. This content is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or a guarantee of return-to-play outcomes. For the most accurate and up-to-date updates, always refer to official USA Hockey announcements and team communications.
