Concern growing over Team USA's Hutson after going unconscious on the ice last game
Photo credit: Edit from Daily Faceoff
Team USA's Cole Hutson went unconscious on the ice last game, and concern is now growing after it was revealed he is eligible to play the next game.
The United States could get a big boost to their line-up just ahead of their quarterfinals match against Finland, but doubts are emerging about Cole Hutson's participation.
The American defenceman was a full participant in team practice on Thursday, four days after being stretchered off the ice during the team's game against Switzerland on Dec. 27.
The player was hit in the head by a puck and transported to the hospital as a precaution. He was later reported as day-to-day by Team USA.
Cole Hutson's status for the upcoming game is creating quite a bit of concern
Problems increased as it was found that Hutson briefly lost consciousness on the ice during the incident. In spite of this, Hutson has been cleared for games, and his status for the upcoming contest has caused some concern for Team USA.
"No doctor in right mind should clear him."
- NHL Review
- NHL Review
After the 6-3 defeat to Sweden on New Year's Eve, head coach Bob Motzko said that he was hopeful that Hutson might make a comeback for the quarterfinal match.
Why Cole Hutson is so important for Team USA
Hutson, a 2024 second-round pick of the Washington Capitals, is in his second year with Boston University, where he has notched seven goals and 13 assists in 18 games.
The brother of Montreal Canadiens defenceman Lane Hutson, he led rookies in the NCAA in scoring a year ago, being named Division I's freshman of the year.
He was also instrumental in last year's junior world championships, where he was at the top of the scoring leaderboard as the Americans won gold.
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 2|401 ANSWERS Concern growing over Team USA's Hutson after going unconscious on the ice last game Should Team USA sit out Cole Hutson for the next game? | ||
| Yes | 299 | 74.6 % |
| No | 102 | 25.4 % |
| List of polls | ||