Desharnais Mentors Hutson in Capitals’ Preseason Opener
The veteran defenseman and 20-year-old rookie trained together as a pair before Washington’s Sunday game in Boston.
Washington paired defensemen Vincent Desharnais and Cole Hutson for Sunday’s preseason opener against the Bruins in Boston after skating them together through the first three days of Capitals training camp. The club’s pregame report described Desharnais, 30, as a veteran mentor to the 20-year-old rookie.
Desharnais called himself a “fun uncle” in remarks to the team after Saturday’s practice. He said his defensive work from the blue line in is a strength he wants to share with Hutson and emphasized communication between partners. Hutson told the Capitals that their different playing styles make Desharnais’s guidance useful. Desharnais frequently skated with then 19-year-old defenseman Sam Dickinson in San Jose last season, the club reported.
Washington signed the 6-foot-7 Desharnais to a four-year contract July 1. Edmonton drafted him 183rd overall in 2016; after college and minor-league stints, he made his NHL debut with the Oilers in January 2023. He later played for Vancouver, Pittsburgh and San Jose before joining the Capitals.
