Big news for USA Hockey fans: James Hagens is officially suiting up for Team USA at the 2026 IIHF Men's World Championship in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. The tournament runs from May 15 to 31, and the U.S. enters as the defending gold medalists—a title they'll look to defend with some fresh young talent on the roster.

Hagens, a rookie forward for the Boston Bruins, was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut on April 12 and notched his first career point—an assist late in the second period—that same night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Now, he's trading his Bruins sweater for the red, white, and blue.

The news was first reported by NHL insider Mark Divver on May 1. Hagens will join a squad coached by Don Granato, with Brett Peterson serving as general manager. The team will be looking to build on a historic 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, where the U.S. men's, women's, and paralympic teams all brought home gold—a first in U.S. and Olympic history.

Before turning pro, Hagens was a standout at Boston College, appearing in 34 games this season. The Hauppauge, New York, native led the Eagles with six game-winning goals, two hat tricks, and 133 shots. Over his college career, he racked up 84 points (34 goals, 50 assists) in 71 games. He's currently signed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Bruins, carrying an annual NHL cap hit of $975,000.

All Team USA games at the World Championship will be televised live on NHL Network. Whether you're a Bruins fan, a USA Hockey supporter, or just love seeing the next generation of stars on the international stage, Hagens is a name to watch this month in Switzerland.