Some future Washington Capitals stars were north of the border and the duo that represented Team USA took home a Gold Medal. That duo is Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson.
Heading into the Gold Medal game, Leonard had his second straight multi point game with a goal and an assist while defenseman Cole Hutson notched his tournament leading seventh assist to lead U.S. to a 4-1 win Saturday over Czechia. They would then beat Finland on Sunday night at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa to win back to back World Junior gold medals for the first time ever.
In the previous game prior to the gold medal game, Leonard set up Boston College teammate Gabe Perrault for the game opeing goal then the 2023 first rounder that was drafted eighth overall by the Caps came up with his fifth goal of the tournament with 4:27 remaining in the third that would send USA to their second straight gold medal game.
The six foot, 200 pound forward recorded six points with four goals and two assists in five elimination games at the World Juniors and three points with two goals and an assist in three medal round games heading into the gold matchup. Leonard scored in last year's championship game against Sweden and headed into the gold game with eight points in six games with five goals and three assists.
Hutson had his seventh assist of the tournament that Saturday on Team USA's go ahead and eventual game winning goal in the second period. His seven assists led all defensemen and were tied with Finald's Konsta Helenius for the most among all skaters. Hutson was selected in 2024 in the second round at 43rd overall.
Back to Leonard, in Sunday night's Gold Medal game the 19 year old took home MVP honors as he chipped in two big assists against Team Finland to up his total to 10 points in seven games with five goals and five assists. The only player to outscore him the entire tournament was fellow teammate and Caps prospect Hutson himself, who finished with 11. Hutson would have the game tying goal in this contest. USA would go on to win in overtime by a final of 4-3.