ARLINGTON, VA — Defenseman Cole Hutson may be preparing for his sophomore year of college, but his focus is firmly on the ice. Asked about his major at Boston University, Hutson had a simple answer.

“Hockey,” he joked.

Given Hutson’s on-ice performance last season, he’s passing with flying colors. After the Capitals selected him 43rd in the 2024 NHL Draft, he recorded 48 points (14g, 34a) in 19 games as a freshman at BU, winning the Tim Taylor Award as the NCAA’s rookie of the year and leading all first-year skaters in scoring.

Hutson acknowledged Wednesday that transitioning to the NCAA wasn’t easy, though he ultimately found success.

“I think it was obviously really tough on me,” he said. “It was a big adjustment, for sure, from the USHL. Just older guys that are more physical coming after you every night. That wore and tore on me every day, as it should. Just did what it takes to get to the next level, and it made me a lot better.”

One of the turning points, in his assessment, was playing for Team USA at World Juniors. Hutson was arguably the team’s best player, becoming the first defenseman in tournament history to lead the all players in scoring with 11 points (3g, 8a) in 7 games.

Hutson pointed to Capitals rookie Ryan Leonard as someone he particularly benefitted from playing with at the tournament.

“I think just obviously playing with all those unbelievable players that were there (gave me confidence),” he said. “Just them reading the same plays that I was and just reading off each other really well. I think playing with a guy that is here right now, Ryan Leonard, he changes the tempo of games, and playing with a guy like that can help your team win games just like that.”

After his season ended with a loss in the NCAA National Championship game, Hutson found himself rooting against the team that had drafted him just months before. His brother Lane, who won the Calder Trophy in his rookie season with the Montreal Canadiens, matched up against the Capitals in the NHL playoffs.

So when the series moved to Montreal for Game 3, Cole made the trip to cheer him on, complete with a Canadiens-themed sweater.

His fashion choices earned some lighthearted backlash in DC — head coach Spencer Carbery joked that the sweater was “terrible” — but Hutson pointed out that the Capitals weren’t the ones who ponied up for the seats.

“I know a lot of the fans saw me in a Habs sweater. (I) took a lot of crap from the staff and management here, but what I told them is ‘He bought me the ticket, so I’ve got to cheer for him in his seats,’” he said.

Next time, however, Hutson hopes he won’t need a ticket.

“If that series comes back around, hopefully I’m playing in it,” he said.

But Hutson doesn’t feel ready to jump to the NHL just yet. He showed plenty of scoring talent last season, but he plans to work on his defensive game next year to balance out his play.

“Just rounding out my game, being super mature (on) both sides of the puck,” he said of his goals. “I think taking care of the defensive side before I jump for the offensive part of the game — even though it’s a lot more fun than the defensive side — that’s where you’re going to need (to improve) to make it to the next level.”

Beyond just his development goals, Hutson is plenty happy to spend another year at school. He told reporters that his plan was always to play at least two seasons at BU, maybe even three or four if he’s enjoying himself. His freshman year experience only reinforced that belief.

“I had such a fun first year, and it’d be stupid not to go back,” he said.

And if he can continue what he started last year, Hutson’s sure to get an A+ in hockey.

Grace Charis has made a name for herself in the golf world, becoming a top influencer with over eight million combined followers on social media. And the 22-year-old has done this without being a pro golfer.

Charis posts videos of her golfing mixed in with content that some would call a little spicy for social media. On3 recently caught up with Charis and asked if she intended to become a golf influencer when she took up the sport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Not necessarily. It just compounded,” Grace Charis told On3. “So, it took off, it did well, and I just kept posting, and so I was cycled into this niche. And people just would see me as that. So it’s almost like I got stuck into it, but I really enjoyed it. I think it has to do with people’s view on me being the golf girl, but also me feeding into that. So I wasn’t against it.”

Charis has 3.7 million followers on Instagram, three million followers on TikTok, one million followers on X/Twitter and 1.5 million subscribers on her YouTube channel. She believes people enjoy her content for multiple reasons.

“I’m pretty positive and happy, and I’m in a good space outside. It’s usually a beautiful scene, or it’s an interesting hole, or there’s something captivating about my content,” she explained. “So, I think people are just engaged with what I’m doing. Because I’ll do some cool stuff.”

Grace Charis competed in Spain last month

Charis enjoys making content, but she continues to grow as a golfer by competing in more tournaments. Last month, Charis competed in Spain at the Tenerife Women’s Open. Later this month, Charis will compete in a tournament that is “on the border of Texas and Arkansas,” two hours from where she lives in Dallas, she said.

But does Charis have a hard time balancing preparing for tournaments and putting out engaging content? “That’s interesting you bring that up, because it has been, a lot of times when I compete, I can’t think of anything besides competing and learning the course, and making sure that I’m in the right headspace,” she said. “But I think over time, because you get very locked in on that, but over time, I’m also just trying to have fun out there.

Will Grace Charis make the jump to pro?

“…… You want to stay focused and not have some kind of video take you out of your headspace there. But if there’s something interesting, I’m like, “No, this is too cool to not document. I have to.” It’s part of my nature, try and share that.”

Charis’s success as an influencer has led to her launching an apparel line called Dialed Golf. When talking about the company, Charis said, “I just wanted a golf brand that reflects who I am as a person, where the performance meets personality. And I think my company, Dialed Golf, is reflective of that. There’s a lot of creativity and comfort. So, the performance wear, everything on there is just comfortable, well-made.”

Charis seems to be in a good spot in her career. And when it comes to her future in the sport, Charis is not ruling out a plan to go pro.

“I do like tournament golf. I don’t see myself quitting anytime soon,” Charis said. “It’s been good for me as a person, just in general. So, I can see myself just keep playing. And if the low rounds come and I have the opportunity to go pro, that would be amazing. But just playing as many tournaments as I can, trying to make cuts, trying to make a little bread out there, would be great.”

Attorney General Jackley Seeks Public’s Assistance in Investigation of Former Rapid City Gymnastics Coach

PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI)’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force seeks the public’s assistance in the investigation of a former Rapid City Gymnastics Coach who faces federal Child Pornography charges.

Hayden Sengua, 25, has been indicted on multiple counts involving Receipt of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography. Sengua worked at Just Jymnastics in Rapid City until May 2024, when his employment was terminated. He previously worked as a gymnastics coach in Oregon.

Sengua is alleged to have possessed images and videos of children in the Rapid City area whom he may have coached. The defendant is presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution.

“We are asking members of the public, whose children have been coached by the defendant to contact us with any pertinent information,” said Attorney General Jackley. “We need to determine if any more local children may have been exploited and ensure they receive necessary care and attention.”

People with information about this case can contact the DCI at 605-394-2258.

The investigation is being conducted by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office.

The U.S. Attorney’s Release on the case can be found here:

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Related

Fisk University’s groundbreaking gymnastics program (the first ever at a historically Black college or university [HBCU]) is coming to a close just as one of its most celebrated athletes prepares for a new chapter.

The Nashville-based university announced on June 6 that it will discontinue its gymnastics program at the end of the 2025–26 academic year. The final season of competition will be spring 2026. The decision, according to Fisk officials, was based on the sport’s lack of affiliation with HBCU athletic conferences, which created challenges in scheduling and recruiting.

“While we are tremendously proud of the history our gymnastics team has made in just three years, we look forward to focusing on our conference-affiliated teams to strengthen our impact in the HBCU Athletic Conference,” said Fisk Director of Athletics Valencia Jordan. “Fisk is grateful for the hard work, dedication and tenacity of its gymnasts, staff members, and coaches who made this program possible.”

Among those gymnasts is Morgan Price, the North Texas standout who rewrote the history books during her time at Fisk. Price made headlines in 2022 when she flipped her commitment from the University of Arkansas to join Fisk’s newly formed gymnastics program. Her bold move paid off: she became the first gymnast from an HBCU to win a national title, the first to earn a perfect 10 on the uneven bars, and a three-time All-American. Over three seasons, she captured six national championships—milestones never before reached by an HBCU gymnast.

Now, with the end of Fisk’s program on the horizon, Price is returning to her original commitment. She will transfer to the University of Arkansas and join the Razorbacks gymnastics team in 2026, reuniting with her older sister, Frankie Price, who has been a member of the team since 2022.

The move brings Price full circle. Born in Lebanon, Tennessee (just 25 miles east of Nashville) she later moved to North Texas to train and graduated from Coppell High School. With a 9.900 career high across all events and multiple 39.500 all-around scores, she now brings elite experience to Arkansas and will train under head coach and Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber.

As she heads into her senior season and prepares to join the talent-heavy Southeastern Conference, Price leaves behind a powerful legacy at Fisk: a symbol of what’s possible when opportunity, talent, and purpose align. Her story, and the short-lived but historic Fisk program, have left a permanent mark on collegiate gymnastics.

“Morgan Price has served as a phenomenal ambassador for Fisk University and embodied the incredible ways our institution continues its history-making legacy,” said President Agenia Clark. “I am extremely proud of all she has accomplished and the light she’s been able to shine on Fisk.”

DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire junior defenseman Brendan Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.), junior forward Marty Lavins (Riga, Latvia), sophomore forward Ryan MacPherson (Windsor, Ontario) and sophomore defenseman Josh Player (Thorofare, N.J.) are on National Hockey League Development Camp rosters taking place from June 30-July 6.
 
 
The development camps feature top prospects who will participate in team meetings, off-ice testing, on-ice sessions and scrimmages.
 

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NHL Development Camps:
 
 
Who: Brendan Fitzgerald
Team: San Jose Sharks
Where: Tech CU Arena (San Jose, Calif.)
 

 
Who: Marty Lavins
Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
Where: Ford Performance Centre (Etobicoke, Ontario)
 

Who: Ryan MacPherson
Team: Philadelphia Flyers
Where: Flyers Training Center (Voorhees, N.J.)
 

 
Who: Josh Player
Team: New Jersey Devils
Where: RWJBarnabas Hockey House (Newark, N.J.)
 

Player appeared in 13 games during his freshman season for the Wildcats making his debut at Merrimack on Oct. 18.

 

 

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2025-26 UNH men’s hockey season tickets are now available and can be purchased at UNHWildcats.com/BuyTickets or by calling the ticket office at (603) 862-4000. Don’t miss the most exciting family entertainment in New Hampshire.  
 

Apr 12, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, UNITED STATES; Boston University Terriers defenseman Sascha Boumedienne (78) defends against Western Michigan Broncos forward Alex Bump (20) during the second period of the Frozen Four college ice hockey national championship at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Connor Hamilton-Imagn Images

VOORHEES, N.J. – After a dream season at Western Michigan University – one that ended with the school’s first National Championship. Alex Bump chose to sign his entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. 

He immediately went to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in the AHL and played their final two regular season games of the season. 

In those two games he scored a goal and had two assists. It was a small sample, but it was an example of why the Flyers have been ecstatic about the development of their 2022 5th round pick.

The Flyers were willing to have him come up to the NHL at the end of the season and play a game to make his NHL debut. It would have been a reward for a great sophomore season at Western Michigan where he had 47 points in 42 regular season games, and scored the dramatic, double-overtime game-winner in the NCAA National Semifinal against University of Denver to advance to the National Championship game. 

It would seemingly be a dream come true. But for Bump, he thought the dream could wait a little longer. 

Instead, he chose to stay with the Phantoms, who were gearing up for the Calder Cup playoffs.

“Just playing more meaningful games in playoffs,” Bump said as Flyers development Camp kicked off in earnest on Wednesday. “Definitely higher intensity. Guys care, I think, a little bit more.

“I didn’t think it was worth it to waste one year on my contract for one game. Just tried to go down there (to Lehigh Valley) and learn as much as I could.”

Alex Bump snipe and shrug pic.twitter.com/Nok92B77m4

— Travis Ballinghoff (@travieballin26) July 2, 2025

That kind of thought process impressed the Flyers. Because he didn’t play that one game, his contract slides forward a year, meaning the first year doesn’t begin until the coming season. Had he played that game, he would have become a restricted free agent following the 2026-27 season, now, it won’t be until 2027-28. 

He’s fine with that, because he knows the NHL opportunity will come. 

Maybe as soon as October.

With uncertainty swirling around the offseason injury to Tyson Foerster (the Flyers insist they are hopeful, but the odds are looking more like he will miss a good chunk of time into the season), there will be an opening on the wing for someone in the organization to take the job. 

While General Manager mentioned a few names that could be in contention for that job, the first name through his lips was Bump. 

Others in the organization are equally excited by the possibility. 

“He was playing high school hockey a couple years ago in Minnesota,” said Flyers Director of Player Development Riley Armstrong. “Then he goes into Western Michigan and as a freshman he started on the fourth line. He’s only continued to grow since. He was a standout last season. 

“When he jumped to the American League, he noticed a difference in the way guys compete in the pro game in the corners. They’re a little bit bigger. A little bit stronger, and he was getting knocked off pucks in the Hershey series. That’s something we talked about and addressed with him. I think a lot of that is just the gym work and getting a little bit stronger. You look at his fame and if he gets up to 200-205 pounds, I don’t think too many guys will be knocking him off the block.”

And then, with a bit of a grin, Armstrong added, “I do think he’s going to have a great shot at making it out of camp here, if he brings his game.”

One on one at the Frozen Four with @NHLFlyers draft pick and Western Michigan winger Alex Bump pic.twitter.com/dzwMVD4rv3

— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) April 9, 2025

For Bump, he wants to open eyes and make the Flyers seriously consider him for a job on the NHL club, but he said Briere hasn’t spoken to him directly about the possible opportunity.

“Not at all,” he said. “And I’m just trying to stay in my lane. I’ll let him decide whether he wants me (on the roster) or not. I’ll try my best to move forward and make him choose me.”

Other players who could be in the mix include prospects like 2024 first rounder Jett Luchanko and 2025 first rounder Porter Martone.

But many believe Bump has the inside track, which is impressive for a lottery ticket of a draft pick three years ago. 

And if it does happen, making his NHL debut on Opening Night of the 2025-26 season will have been well worth the wait.