ST. PAUL — The energy in Grand Casino Arena was palpable, filled with over 15,000 spectators buzzing with excitement. Team USA found itself holding their collective breath during a tense moment in their 2-1 victory against Switzerland in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship.
As the clock ticked down to 8:59 left in the second period, a hush fell over the crowd when USA’s top defenseman Cole Hutson was struck in the back of the neck by a shot from Switzerland’s Gian Meier. The chilling scene unfolded as Hutson collapsed to the ice and failed to rise.
In the moments that followed, players and fans alike watched in silence as Hutson initially moved his limbs, but soon the Team USA training staff rushed to assess his condition. The situation escalated quickly as a stretcher was brought onto the ice. After a careful stabilization process, Hutson was transported through the Zamboni doors to a local hospital for further evaluation. Fortunately, during a report from NHL Network’s Jon Morosi at ice level during the second intermission, news broke that Hutson was “conscious and alert” as he was taken off the ice.
U.S. coach Bob Motzko shared updates in a postgame interview, revealing that Hutson had been released from the hospital and was back with the team in the locker room shortly after the game ended. “It knocks you back,” Motzko reflected, highlighting the solemn atmosphere that enveloped the arena. “The building was silent. When you see something like that when somebody gets hauled off … the good news is he’s back with us.”
Joe Ahlquist / Post Bulletin
Throughout the ordeal, Hutson’s close friend and teammate, Cole Eiserman, remained by his side, grabbing Hutson’s hand to ensure he could feel it. “It’s obviously tough. He’s probably my best buddy,” Eiserman expressed, his concern evident. “Seeing one of your best friends go down like that, not knowing what’s going to happen, you kind of shut off and have blinders on.”
The bond between the teammates was showcased as Eiserman texted Hutson’s older brother, Lane, with a positive update post-game. “I was happy to hear him talk and move,” he added, showcasing the emotional intensity of the moment.
This development comes during a spectacular run for Hutson, as he was instrumental in leading Team USA to its second consecutive gold medal in the 2025 WJC. Last year, he showcased his skills by scoring three goals and notching eight assists across seven games—an achievement that places him among the elite defensemen in the tournament’s history.
With two primary assists in Team USA’s tournament opener against Germany, Hutson had moved into a tie for second in all-time points by a defenseman for the U.S., trailing only legendary players. This season, he is just one point shy of Erik Johnson’s record of 14 points from the 2006 and 2007 tournaments.
“When I first kind of saw how serious it was, your heart kind of sinks,” teammate Brodie Ziemer reflected, summing up the overwhelming concern from the team. “The entire bench, we care so much about him. It obviously sucks, but we’re glad to see he’s okay.”
Hutson’s sudden departure left a significant void in the U.S. lineup. Apart from being a top pairing defenseman, he was also pivotal in quarterbacking the top power play unit, a role that demands confidence and precision.
Joe Ahlquist / Post Bulletin
The emotional intensity of the moment shocked the Americans, especially as they were leading 1-0 before Hutson’s injury. The Swiss team capitalized on the sudden shift in energy, tying the game just 83 seconds later, courtesy of Basile Sansonnens’ shot through traffic that beat goaltender Nick Kempf.
The U.S. players found their rhythm again with Will Zellers scoring a tournament-leading third goal with just 5:20 remaining in the second period, which re-energized the fans who erupted into loud chants of “U-S-A.” “We’ve had so much support from the State of Hockey in this tournament,” Zellers exclaimed. “To hear the ‘U-S-A’ chant go in the middle of the game, it gives you goosebumps, for sure.”
As the match reached its climax, Ziemer had netted the game’s first goal merely 72 seconds into the second period. Tension rose dramatically when Switzerland’s Lars Steiner hit the crossbar with 43.2 seconds remaining on a shot that deflected off teammate AJ Spellacy’s stick, a narrow escape for Team USA.
“We knew we were in for a tough game,” Motzko remarked post-game, recognizing the skill and aggressiveness of their opponents. “In these hard-fought matchups, you have to battle right to the end. We didn’t blink and played very well tonight.”
With only a brief interlude on Sunday, Team USA’s focus now shifts to their next challenge: a showdown against Slovakia at 5 p.m. on Monday at the Grand Casino Arena.
Click on image to read comprehensive coverage of the 2026 World Junior Championship tournament.