Cole Hutson Drills a Hole-in-One Before His First Full NHL Season

Before Cole Hutson even plays a full season in the NHL, he’s already got a highlight that has nothing to do with hockey. The Washington Capitals defenseman, who made his debut last spring, stepped onto a golf course in Jupiter, Florida and promptly knocked in a hole-in-one at Abacoa Golf Club.

The NHL posted it on social media last week, and yeah, it’s the kind of thing that feels almost too on brand for a rookie with this much hype. Hutson is entering a season where expectations are sky high, and he’s already out here hitting perfect shots. If golf is any metaphor for hockey, Caps fans should be very excited.

More Than Just a Lucky Swing

Hutson isn’t just some guy who got lucky on a par-3. He was the 43rd overall pick in the 2024 draft, and he spent two years at Boston University tearing it up. In 2024-25, he put up 24 goals and 56 assists over two college seasons, earning East First Team All-American honors both years. That’s not a fluke. That’s a pattern.

He signed his entry-level contract after BU’s season ended, and he made his NHL debut on March 18. In that first game, against the Ottawa Senators, he scored his first NHL goal. Over 14 games with the Caps, he finished with three goals and seven assists. Not bad for a guy who was still figuring out the league speed.

But here’s the thing: Hutson’s older brother, Lane, already set the bar. Lane Hutson won the Calder Trophy in 2024-25 with the Montreal Canadiens, putting up six goals and 60 assists while helping push Montreal into the playoffs. So yeah, Cole has some family standards to live up to.

The Calder Race Is Already Getting Interesting

According to DraftKings odds for the 2026-27 Calder Trophy, Cole Hutson is tied for third. The favorite is Porter Martone of the Philadelphia Flyers, who also made his NHL debut last season. Ivar Stenberg, drafted second overall by the San Jose Sharks, is second. Anton Frondell of the Chicago Blackhawks is tied with Hutson. And interestingly, top overall pick Gavin McKenna hasn’t been listed on the odds board yet.

Hutson will have to earn it. But if his golf game is any indication, the kid doesn’t crack under pressure. He’s got the skill, the pedigree, and now a hole-in-one story that will follow him around the locker room all year.