The Washington Huskies’ Pro Day was abuzz with optimism for both the past and future of the program.

As 17 players took the field to perform various drills and athletic testing, there were several impressive numbers for the NFL scouts in attendance to write home about. Wide receiver Omari Evans was one of the clear winners of the day, as quarterback Demond Williams Jr. posted on social media that the Penn State transfer ran an unofficial 4.25-second 40-yard dash, which would be just .04 seconds from the NFL combine record of 4.21, set by former Texas receiver Xavier Worthy (for what it’s worth, hand timing can be a little tricky; I had his two attempts timed at 4.35 and 4.30, respectively) and also displayed a 41-inch vertical jump.

Defensive tackle Anterio Thompson also showed off his impressive athleticism with a 4.73 40-yard dash, as he and several other former Huskies, including Evans, outside linebackers Zach Durfee and Deshawn Lynch, and tight end Quentin Moore, all made their cases to work into the late rounds of the NFL draft, or to be candidates to sign with a team as undrafted free agents.

And on their way out, they were very complimentary of what the next generation will bring to Montlake. While offensive lineman Carver Willis, who showed off his versatility by taking reps at center, guard, and tackle during his on-field workout, raved about guard Champ Taulealea and outside linebacker Devin Hyde—just like he did at the combine in February—other players brought new names to the table.

The Kennedy Center’s board of directors voted on Monday to shut down operations for two years following this summer’s July 4 celebrations.

The widely expected decision comes in the wake of numerous resignations and cancellations during President Donald Trump’s second term, although Trump himself has cited the need for repairs as a reason for the closure.

“We’re going to ensure it remains the finest performing arts facility of its kind anywhere in the world,” Trump told reporters at the White House before the board met Monday.

The board also voted to install Matt Floca as CEO and executive director, replacing Trump ally Richard Grenell, who oversaw far-reaching changes at the venue that prompted an outcry from many artists and exacerbated the operation’s financial challenges. Trump praised Grenell on Monday, saying he had been a longtime friend, and wished Floca “good luck with everything.”

The Washington Capitals have signed defenseman Cole Hutson to a three-year entry-level contract beginning this season, senior vice president and general manager Chris Patrick announced today. Hutson’s contract will carry an average annual value of $975,000.

The Capitals selected Hutson in the second round (43rd overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Hutson, 19, recorded 32 points (10g, 22a) in 35 games with Boston University (NCAA) this season. The 5’11”, 172-pound defenseman led the Terriers in assists, points, game-winning goals (4), overtime goals (2), shots (148) and plus-minus (+13). As a sophomore, Hutson ranked tied for fifth among NCAA defensemen in scoring at his season’s end and was named a Hockey East First Team All-Star for the second straight season.

During his freshman season at Boston University in 2024-25, Hutson registered 48 points (14g, 34a) in 39 games. Hutson’s 34 assists led the team, while his 48 points ranked second and his 14 goals ranked third. Hutson recorded a tournament-high eight points (2g, 6a) in four NCAA Tournament games, helping Boston University reach the National Championship game. Hutson, who led all first-year collegiate skaters in assists and points, won the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA’s top rookie and was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year. In addition, Hutson was named to the NCAA (East) First All-American Team and the Hockey East First All-Star Team.

Hutson finished his collegiate career with 80 points (24g, 56a) in 74 games played. Hutson’s 80 points are the most among NCAA defensemen over the last two seasons.

The North Barrington, Illinois native represented the United States at the 2026 and 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships. Hutson served as an alternate captain for the Americans at the 2026 tournament and recorded four points (1g, 3a) in three games. Hutson helped lead Team USA to a gold medal at the 2025 World Junior Championship, where he finished as the tournament’s leader in points (3g-8a–11p in 7 GP) and plus-minus (+11). With 11 points in seven games, Hutson broke Team USA’s single-tournament scoring record for a defenseman and became the first defenseman in World Junior Championship history to lead the tournament in scoring.

Hutson spent the 2023-24 season with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program’s Under-18 Team, recording 51 points (15g, 36a) in 51 games played. Hutson led the team’s defensemen in goals, assists, points, power-play goals (5), game-winning goals (3) and shots (104). Hutson also appeared in 19 games with the USNTDP Juniors, where he recorded 12 points (3g, 9a). During the 2022-23 season, Hutson set USA Hockey’s NTDP single-season record for points by a defenseman after recording 68 points (10g, 58a) in 61 games played. Hutson represented the United States at the 2024 and 2023 Under-18 World Championships, winning a gold medal in 2023 and a silver medal in 2024. At the 2024 tournament, Hutson led all defensemen in goals (4), assists (9) and points (13) and was named the tournament’s Best Defenseman. Hutson, USA Hockey’s NTDP all-time leader in career points by a defenseman, registered 119 points (25g, 94a) in 112 career games over two seasons.