LAS VEGAS | Cole Hutson had said several times in recent months that he hoped NHL teams wouldn’t make the same mistake with him as they did with his brother, Lane, by letting him slide too long in the draft. Ultimately, he was claimed 43rd overall by the Washington Capitals, 19 spots higher than his brother in 2022.
The defenseman who spent the last year with the American National Development Program was selected by the Caps after they traded forward Beck Malenstyn to the Buffalo Sabres.
“I had a good idea of their interest,” he admitted. I had some good meetings with them and I’m very excited.”
Somewhere in the stands, his big brother Lane showed a big smile as he saw his brother put on Alex Ovechkin’s band uniform.
“I think this is the best place for him,” he told the media present in Las Vegas. It would have been cool for him to come and join me in Montreal but it would have been more difficult for him because we have a lot of good defenders. “He’ll be able to go to Washington and be an important part of their team, which is good for him.”
A little disappointment
Cole Hutson believed he had the talent to be drafted in the first round and he was not afraid to proclaim it loud and clear in the weeks and months preceding the draft.
But that was not the case.
He did not hide the fact that he returned to the hotel with a somewhat bitter taste on Friday evening after the first round.
But his brother, who had experienced the same thing two years ago, found the right words to put things into perspective.
“I was disappointed for him and he was a little disappointed for him. At the end of the day, there are so many players who want to be drafted in the first round but there are only 32 picks. I told him it’s better to be drafted in the second round by the right team than in the first round by the wrong team. The right team drafted him so I’m happy for him.”
Happy with Demidov’s choice
Lane Hutson also said he was very excited about the Canadiens’ selection of Ivan Demidov, fifth overall, on Friday.
“I’m really excited because I thought he would come out earlier. I’m really happy he slid through to us. He seems like a really good guy too so I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
He is not the only one.
