During the second period of Saturday’s 2-1 win over Switzerland at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships, Hutson was hit in the neck with a shot. He was carried off the ice and sent to the hospital.
U.S. coach Bob Motzko told media on Sunday afternoon that Hutson rejoined the team about 30 minutes after the end of the game. Hutson attended Team USA practice but did not skate at TRIA Rink in St. Paul on Sunday afternoon.
“He’s back with us. He had a smile on his face this morning when he got on the bus,” Motzko said. “We will talk to the medical people and move forward day by day.”
American players and coaches remain optimistic that Hutson 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 was looked at and cleared to come back here. Now it’s just day to day, and hopefully we get him back.”
Boston University teammate Cole Eiserman said he texted with Terriers head coach Jay Pandolfo about the injury over the past 24 hours. As Hutson lay motionless on the ice, Eiserman was photographed by Getty photographer David Berding holding Hutson’s hand.
“I wasn’t really a hockey player at that point,” Eiserman said.
‘I’ve known Hutty since he was ‘Little Hutty’. He’s the same boy and the same boy since we were 7 years old, 8 years old, before we could even play AAA. It has been a long friendship that just kept getting bigger and bigger. He is one of my best friends for life.”
Hutson 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 and is tied with Ryan Suter for the second-most points by an American defenseman in WJC play.
Hutson also had a prolific college career at BU.
The 6-foot-1, 172-pound, 43rd overall pick of 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 second season.
“He’s one of the best defenders in the world,” Motzko said. “That’s sport, man, it’s part of sport. The next guy has to step up. Everybody has to carry his or her weight as we trudge through this until we get him back in there.”
“A tight-knit group. They’re going to keep going. I think it’s a relief that he’s back with us. We’re not worried about anything else. These are athletes, well trained. He’ll be an inspiration to the boys.”
Hutson is from North Barrington, Illinois and played in the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2022 to 2024. He helped the US win its second consecutive gold medal at the 2025 WJC in Ottawa.
Motzko said Hutson’s positive injury developments could provide a boost for the U.S. as it heads into its third preliminary match against Slovakia on Monday at 5 p.m.
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