LAS VEGAS – At the 2022 draft at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Lane Hutson waited until 62e rank before hearing his name called by the Canadiens. Two years later in the magnificent Sphere of Vegas, Cole Hutson experienced a quicker outcome.
The Washington Capitals bet on him with the 43e choice in total. Strictly in terms of draft rank, Cole therefore beat his big brother. But both defensemen will forever remain second-round picks.
“I got drafted about 10 or 20 spots ahead of him,” Cole said with a smile. “It’s nothing too crazy. I’ve still got a lot to prove.”
A large scientific calculation allows us to understand that there are 19 ranks which separate the two brothers.
Lane expects to hear his brother remind him of this statistic often.
“Honestly, if I were him, I would talk about it often,” said the Canadiens defenseman. “So I imagine he will.”
From disappointment to joy
Listed 55e A top North American skater prospect according to NHL Central Scouting, Cole Hutson was expected to be a first-round pick.
In the stands of the Sphere on Friday evening, he looked at the 32 choices without ever heading towards the stage.
“Everybody wants to hear their name called on the first day,” he said. “I was disappointed. I went back to my hotel and I was sulking a little bit. But I had to put that behind me. I had a smile on my face walking into the Sphere today.”
Lane had words of wisdom for his younger brother who was celebrating his 18the birthday on the day of the first round.
“Yeah, I was disappointed for him. He was disappointed too. There are always a lot of kids who dream of the first round, but there are only 32 picks. I said to him: What do you like better? Being the first-round pick of the wrong team or waiting in the second round with a good team? I think he just landed on the right team.”
The Capitals had strong interest in Hutson. In the morning, Brian MacLellan completed a trade with the Buffalo Sabres to add a second-round pick. Caps gave up winger Beck Malenstyn to get the 43e choice.
“I had a good idea the Capitals wanted to draft me,” Cole said. “I had had some good meetings with the Caps. I had this feeling. That’s great cool to see that they chose to acquire another pick in the second round. It means that they wanted to draft me, that they have confidence in me.”
The scenario worthy of a film with the two brothers who end up in Montreal was nothing too real.
“I would have liked to see him with the Canadiens, but I knew the chances were slim,” Lane said. “We already have a lot of good young defensemen in Montreal. In Washington, Cole will have the opportunity to become a big piece of the Capitals’ future puzzle.”
Like Lane, Cole will play for the Boston University Terriers. He will make his debut with the Terriers next season.
Offensive play runs in the Hutsons’ veins. With the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) under-18 team, Cole recorded 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 51 games.
“Like my brother, I have an offensive side. I would like to one day control the game at the point on the power play with the Capitals.”
If Cole reaches the NHL as quickly as Lane, he might even get assists on Alexander Ovechkin’s five-on-four goals.
