US EditionTeam USA Loses ‘Backbone’ Cole Hutson to Chilling Injury, Rebounds to Beat Switzerland
Cole Hutson was immobilized and stretchered off after a head/neck shot but was conscious, discharged from hospital, and rejoined Team USA who defeated Switzerland 2-1.
- On Dec. 27, 2025, Team USA defenseman Cole Hutson was stretchered off after a puck struck the back of his head during the second period at Grand Casino Arena, and medical personnel immobilized him before carting him off through the Zamboni doors amid a long delay.
- The play had Hutson stationed in front of the U.S. net when a shot by Swiss defenseman Gian Meier appeared to hit him near the back of his helmet with 8:59 left in the second period.
- Team captain Brodie Ziemer was able to communicate with Hutson while teammate Cole Eiserman held his hand as medical personnel immobilized him and the crowd at Grand Casino Arena fell silent and then applauded.
- Despite the incident, the U.S. won 2-1, with Switzerland national junior team tying shortly after Hutson was taken off the ice; Hutson was discharged from a local hospital and will undergo morning reevaluation.
- His scary departure leaves a big hole in the U.S. lineup ahead of group games against Slovakia on Dec. 29 and Sweden on Dec. 31, with top prospect Cole Hutson's status uncertain.
30 Articles
30 Articles
USA’s Cole Hutson stretchered off ice, taken to hospital after getting hit by puck at World Juniors in scary scene
USA defenseman Cole Hutson was stretchered off the ice and taken to a hospital after being struck by a puck near the back of his head or neck during a World Juniors game against Switzerland on Saturday.
SAINT PAUL. The USA beat Switzerland 2-1 after ugly scenes. Defender Cole Hutson, 19, was taken to the hospital. – It was terrible to see, says teammate Co
Team USA loses ‘backbone’ Cole Hutson to chilling injury, rebounds to beat Switzerland
ST. PAUL — Filled with over 15,000 people, you could hear whispers from across Grand Casino Arena. Team USA players, coaches and fans held their collective breaths in the middle of their 2-1 win over Switzerland in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship. With 8:59 left in the second period, top USA defenseman Cole Hutson was hit in the back of his neck on Gian Meier’s shot from the point. Hutson hit the ice and didn’t get up. Initially, he move…
World Junior Hockey: U.S. gets scare but holds off Switzerland
Relief flooded the United States locker room Saturday after its 2-1 victory over Switzerland in the Americans’ second game of the World Junior Hockey Championships. Not only had the hosts withstood a tenacious, defensive-minded foe to improve to 2-0 in the tournament, there was good news on the injury front. With nine minutes remaining in the second period, American defenseman Cole Hutson was stretchered off the Grand Casino Arena ice after bein…
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