The Washington Capitals announced that Cole Hutson scored his first NHL goal in his debut Wednesday night, capping a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators.
The 19-year-old defenseman found the back of the net with 25.7 seconds remaining. The goal came during a 3-on-1 break with the opposing net empty, after teammate Connor McMichael encouraged him to shoot rather than pass.
“He’s doing everything other than pulling flares out and saying, ‘Do not pass me the puck,'” coach Spencer Carbery said. “Credit to him for doing that for Cole.”
The moment marked a generational contrast for Washington. Before Hutson’s milestone, Alex Ovechkin scored his 922nd career goal earlier in the game.
Hutson joined the Capitals less than a week after his season ended at Boston University. The team selected him in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
His arrival helped offset the trade deadline departure of veteran defenseman John Carlson.
“I was so scared,” Hutson said. “I just wanted to get out there and get off as fast as possible. We had them in the o-zone, so I couldn’t really change.”
Despite his nerves, Hutson logged 16:22 of ice time and drew cheers from the crowd throughout the night.
The goal officially counted as a power-play marker. Ottawa had pulled their goaltender for an extra attacker while already down a man due to a penalty.
“He’s smooth with the puck,” said Capitals forward Tom Wilson, who tried to ambush Hutson with shaving cream in the locker room while reporters were interviewing him. “It’s a funny feeling when you have a first-year, first-game guy, and he’s got the puck back there and you’re just confident that he’s going to make the right play and do good things with it.”
McMichael’s encouragement proved crucial on the final rush. He deliberately avoided positioning his stick on the ice to receive a pass.
“Didn’t really want to shoot it, to be honest. I was looking to pass the whole time,” Hutson said. “I couldn’t even pass to him if (I) tried. He had no stick on the ice — wanted me to just take it all the way in, so I kind of had to.”
The victory improved Washington’s position as they continue their playoff push.
