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Rangers Defenseman Will Borgen Named to USA Roster for World Championship
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- Rangers Defenseman Will Borgen Named to USA Roster for World Championship
The New York Rangers are home for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which means their roster is open for players to participate in the upcoming IIHF World Championship. And Will Borgen will get that opportunity after the United States named the Rangers defenseman to its preliminary roster Thursday.
Borgen last represented the United States in international competition as a 21-year-old at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, which did not feature NHL players. He also wore the Stars and Stripes at the 2016 World Junior Championship, when he helped the U.S. capture a bronze medal.
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USA Hockey was among the last federations to announce its roster. Borgen was the only Rangers player chosen for the United States team, but he will join fellow defenseman Urho Vaakanainen , who was previously chosen to play for Finland. The tournament runs from May 15-31 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.
The United States will train in Manheim, Germany on Friday and play three tune-up games there. The U.S. opens the tournament against host Switzerland on May 15 at 8:20 a.m. ET.
Rosters will be continually adjusted based on injuries and when NHL players are available after their postseasons end.
Will Borgen joins Team USA at Worlds after solid season with Rangers
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Borgen logged a career-high 18:03 TOI this season and equaled his career best by scoring five goals. He finished with 15 points in 75 games, playing a shutdown role on the second pair most of the season.
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The 29-year-old was third on the Rangers with 99 blocked shots, and fifth with 111 hits.
The Rangers acquired Borgen from the Seattle Kraken along with two draft picks in a Dec. 2024 trade that sent Kaapo Kakko to the pacific Northwest. He has four seasons remaining on a five-year, $20.5 million contract signed with New York in Jan. 2025.
Borgen joins 18 other NHL players on the United States roster in Europe, including a familiar face.
Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Former Rangers teammate Ryan Lindgren is also on Team USA's roster. Lindgren spent his first seven NHL seasons with the Rangers before he was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche for Calvin de Haan , Juuso Parssinen and two draft picks ahead of the 2025 trade deadline.
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Lindgren had nine points (two goals, seven assists) and averaged 18:20 TOI with the Kraken this season, his first after signing with Seattle as a free agent last summer.
Lindgren and Borgen are part of a seasoned roster for the United States, one that includes 2026 Olympic gold medalist and two-time Stanley Cup champion Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers .
"We've got a good blend of players that are excited about representing our country and competing for a gold medal," said Brett Peterson, the U.S. men's team general manager and Panthers assistant GM. "We're looking forward to the tournament and know Switzerland will be a great host."
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