The New York Rangers may be watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs from home this year, but that doesn't mean their players are sitting idle. With the NHL postseason winding down, several Blueshirts are getting the chance to represent their countries on the international stage—and defenseman Will Borgen is leading the charge for the United States.

USA Hockey announced Thursday that Borgen has been named to the preliminary roster for the upcoming IIHF World Championship, set to run from May 15-31 in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. It's a full-circle moment for the 29-year-old, who last wore the Stars and Stripes at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics—an event that notably didn't feature NHL players. He also helped the U.S. capture a bronze medal at the 2016 World Junior Championship, so he knows what it takes to compete at this level.

Borgen is the only Rangers player on Team USA's roster, but he'll have plenty of company from around the league. The squad includes 18 other NHL players, including a familiar face: former Rangers teammate Ryan Lindgren. Lindgren spent seven seasons in New York before being traded to the Colorado Avalanche earlier this year, so the two defensive stalwarts will reunite on the blue line for the U.S.

The American squad will prepare for the tournament with a training camp in Mannheim, Germany, starting Friday, followed by three tune-up games. Their opening matchup comes against host Switzerland on May 15 at 8:20 a.m. ET—a tough test right out of the gate.

Borgen's inclusion is well-earned after a career year with the Rangers. He logged a personal-best 18:03 of ice time per game this season, matching his career high with five goals while adding 15 points in 75 games. Known for his shutdown ability, the defenseman was a physical force on the second pair, ranking third on the team with 99 blocked shots and fifth with 111 hits.

The Rangers acquired Borgen from the Seattle Kraken in December 2024, along with two draft picks, in the trade that sent Kaapo Kakko to the Pacific Northwest. He quickly became a key piece of New York's defensive core, and in January 2025, the team locked him up with a five-year, $20.5 million contract extension.

With rosters still fluid as NHL teams get eliminated from the playoffs, more players could join the tournament in the coming weeks. But for now, Borgen is ready to trade Madison Square Garden blue for red, white, and blue—and bring his trademark grit to the international stage.