Cole Hutson is set to return to the USA lineup for the quarterfinals of the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. The defenseman will participate in the much-anticipated match against Finland on Friday night.
Injury and Recovery
Hutson sustained an injury during the preliminary round against Switzerland last Saturday. He was hit by a point shot from Swiss defender Gian Meier, which struck him on the side of the head. This alarming incident caused him to fall to the ice and ultimately required him to be stretchered off.
After receiving medical attention, Hutson was transported to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Fortunately, he was quickly released and joined his teammates after the U.S. secured a 2-1 victory over Switzerland. Although Hutson was initially listed as day-to-day, he missed the final two games of the opening round.
USA’s Performance Without Hutson
During Hutson’s absence, the U.S. team dominated Denmark with a significant 9-1 victory. However, they faced a setback against Sweden, falling in the battle for first place in Group A.
Hutson’s Impact in the Tournament
Before his injury, Hutson delivered an impressive performance in the opening match against Germany on Boxing Day. He registered two assists, contributing to a firm 6-3 victory. Last year, Hutson was integral to the USA’s gold medal run in Ottawa, scoring three goals and providing eight assists for a total of 11 points. His performance led the tournament in assists and points among defensemen.
Looking Ahead: Quarterfinal Matchup
Friday’s game against Finland is a rematch of last year’s gold medal final. In that contest, Nashville Predators prospect Teddy Stiga scored the decisive goal in overtime, securing the USA’s seventh World Junior Championship title.
The American team aims to become only the third nation in tournament history, following Canada and the Soviet Union, to achieve three consecutive gold medals.
