ST. PAUL – Team USA may be licking its wounds from a disappointing 6-3 loss to Sweden in the preliminary-round finale, but they’re starting to get healthier ahead of their quarterfinal showdown vs. Finland on Friday.

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Cole Hutson (WSH), who has missed each of the last two games after leaving the game against Switzerland on a stretcher, was a full participant in USA’s New Year’s Day practice. Hutson told NHL.com’s Mike Morreale that he will want to make sure he is 100% before officially jumping into Team USA’s lineup. The early indications, however, suggest he could play. 

Cole Hutson (WSH) @usahockey on if he'll play vs. FIN: "I feel pretty good. I'm just waiting it out to see if I'm fully ready to come back. Obviously, a pretty scary situation so just want to make sure I feel 100% before making the jump back into play.” #WorldJuniors2026

— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) January 1, 2026

Forward Max Plante, who left USA’s game against Slovakia with an injury, however, will not be in the lineup against Finland and is still listed as day-to-day.

Should Hutson return, it would provide a much-needed boost for the U.S., which struggled mightily without him. Hutson led last year’s tournament in scoring, posting 11 points – most ever by a U.S. defenseman in a single World Juniors. He is currently one point shy of tying USA’s career points record by a defenseman at the WJC after posting two assists in USA’s opening win against Germany.

In a break from his usual coyness about the goaltending, head coach Bob Motzko confirmed after Thursday’s practice that goalie Nick Kempf (WSH) will start for Team USA in the quarterfinal. 

The Notre Dame netminder has only started one game, but appeared in relief in Wednesday’s loss to Sweden, playing the third period and allowing one goal. In his lone start, Kempf allowed one goal to Switzerland and did not allow any goals in two pre-tournament game appearances.

Team USA has a challenging matchup ahead with Finland in the quarterfinals. Dating back to the 2019 gold-medal game, USA and Finland have met seven times. USA won four of those meetings, while Finland has won three. The last meeting between the two sides at the World Juniors was last year’s gold-medal game which ended in a 4-3 win for USA.

The game is set for 5 p.m. CT at Grand Casino Arena.  

2026 World Junior Quarterfinals

Here is the quarterfinal schedule for Jan. 2.

• 2:00 p.m. ET Sweden vs. Latvia
• 4:30 p.m. ET Czechia vs. Switzerland
• 6:00 p.m. ET USA vs. Finland
• 8:30 p.m. ET Canada vs. Slovakia

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