ARLINGTON, Va. — The Hutson family’s next rink stop carries a wrinkle none of them has faced before: Lane Hutson and younger brother Cole Hutson will be on opposite NHL blue lines when the Montreal Canadiens visit the Washington Capitals on Wednesday at Capital One Arena.
The 7:30 p.m. ET game, airing on MNMT and Prime, marks the first meeting between the brothers as opponents at any level. Lane, 22, arrives as Montreal’s Calder Trophy-winning defenseman from 2024-25. Cole, 20, is beginning his rookie season with Washington, and the matchup gives their parents, Rob and Julie, a rare chance to watch two sons in the same NHL building.
A family call becomes a Capitals-Canadiens date
Rob Hutson recently called Cole after a game and learned his son was already speaking with Lane. Cole sent a message telling his father to join when Lane called, turning it into a family conversation.
That has become part of the routine for the brothers, who regularly compare notes after their games. They also play Xbox together when their schedules allow. Watching one another live is harder now that both are in the NHL, but they continue to track each other closely.
- Lane was selected 62nd overall by Montreal in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft.
- Cole went 43rd overall to Washington in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
- Both developed with the U.S. National Team Development Program before spending two seasons at Boston University.
- Lane and Cole each played at Boston University alongside their older brother, Quinn, though not during the same seasons.
Lane said the game will be special, but Montreal’s need for victories remains the priority. Cole expects it to feel somewhat unusual, though he noted that competing against Lane has been part of his life for as long as he can remember. His goal is simple: finish the night with the Capitals’ win.
Different tools on the blue line
Lane made his Montreal debut late in the 2023-24 season, collecting two assists in two games. He followed with a 66-point rookie campaign — six goals and 60 assists in 82 games — to claim the Calder Trophy in 2024-25. Last season, he raised his total to 78 points, with 12 goals and 66 assists over 82 games. He has four assists through five games this season.
Cole joined Washington late last season and posted three goals and seven assists in 14 games. In his first five games this season, he has a goal and two assists.
| Player | Size | Current-season production | Noted style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lane Hutson | 5-foot-9, 162 pounds | 4 assists in 5 games | Quick burst, puck movement, stick-and-position defending |
| Cole Hutson | 6-foot, 180 pounds | 1 goal, 2 assists in 5 games | More willing shooter, longer stride, added physical edge |
Rob, who founded and coaches at Hutson Pro Hockey Academy in Barrington, Illinois, sees plenty of shared traits in their hands and vision. But he said Cole looks for his shot more often, skates with a longer stride and brings more contact, while Lane relies on rapid acceleration, his stick and his reads.
The contrast extends beyond the ice. Cole describes himself as louder and more social, while Lane is quieter and more focused on his work.
Summer battles prepared them for this one
The Hutsons’ hockey calendar stretches across North America. Quinn, 24, is a forward with Bakersfield, the Edmonton Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate. Lars, 17, is a defenseman for Muskegon of the United States Hockey League.
Lane and Cole train with their brothers in the offseason and help at the family academy. Rob said getting all four off the ice after practice can be a chore. Their competitive edge is not reserved for games on the schedule, either.
- Cole said summer sessions can include fights among the brothers.
- Rob said he has had to separate them more than once.
- They split into two-on-two teams and play with full intensity.
- Rob believes that competitiveness is central to what has made all four brothers better players.
Lane has also served as a resource for Cole since the Capitals prospect turned professional. His advice was for Cole to remain himself and learn through the experience — while adding that he hopes his brother does not have a breakthrough night against Montreal.
Lane said he is proud of Cole’s early NHL work and not surprised by it, given what he has seen from him over the years.
Three chances to settle the family score
Rob and Julie may have more time to think about Wednesday’s game than their two NHL sons. Lane said he typically keeps his attention on only the next few opponents, while Cole said he is staying in the moment until the date arrives.
For the parents, the result will be complicated. Rob called it a win-win because both sons have reached the NHL, but conceded this may be the rare game he attends without feeling as though he is leaving as a winner.
There are two more Canadiens-Capitals meetings on the schedule after Wednesday:
- Jan. 19 in Washington.
- Feb. 13 in Montreal.
Rob expects the brother who loses Wednesday to take it hard, even if the frustration fades with time. The winner, however, will have a family bragging-rights marker to carry into the next meeting. In a household built on summer two-on-two games and years of shared training, the Hutson rivalry is just getting its NHL chapter.
