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Team USA defenseman Cole Hutson suffered a serious injury Saturday night during the World Junior Championships against Switzerland.
Hutson took a puck to the back of the head in the second period. He was stretchered off the ice and did not return to the game. The US team later said Hutson was out of the hospital and considered day-to-day.
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U.S. defenseman Cole Hutson (44) is taken off the ice after suffering an injury during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship game against Switzerland, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
“Hutson has left the hospital, returned to the team and is ‘day to day,'” Team USA said.
“We are grateful for everyone’s concern and the care he received.”
Team USA head coach Bob Motzko spoke about the situation after the game.
“It was a scary situation, for sure,” he said via ESPN. “It’s a close-knit group of guys and they responded. It takes you back. The building was quiet. But the good news is that he was released and is back with us.”
U.S. defenseman Cole Hutson, bottom, is examined by medical personnel after suffering an injury as members of the U.S. team look on during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship game against Switzerland, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
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Hutson is a defensive back at Boston University. He was selected in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals. He is one of four Terriers representing the red, white and blue on the ice at the World Junior Championships.
Brodie Ziemer and Will Zellers scored the goals for the Americans in a 2-1 victory in their preliminary round match against the Swiss.
Basile Sansonnens scored Switzerland’s only goal.
Swiss forward Robin Antenen, left, skates with the puck as U.S. defenseman Cole Hutson (44) defends during the second period of an IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship game, Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, in St. Paul, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
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The United States will play Slovakia on Monday, while Switzerland will face Germany on Tuesday.
