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Rangers players get another shot at championship this spring

Several New York Rangers players will get another shot at a championship this spring, potentially making up for a sour season.
ByNestor Quixtan|
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Apr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Will Borgen (17) skates against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images
Apr 5, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Will Borgen (17) skates against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images | Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Five New York Rangers players will get a shot at winning a championship this spring. No, we’re not talking about playing in the AHL playoffs. We’re talking about the IIHF World Championships.

The Rangers wished their representatives good luck in an X post on Thursday, highlighting their support. Will Borgen will don the Red, White, and Blue for Team USA, while Urho Vaakanainen will represent Finland, Mikkel Eriksen Norway, Jaroslav Chmelar Czechia, and Adam Sykora Slovakia.

The Rangers’ reps will be looking to find consolation for an otherwise tough NHL season. In particular, finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference standings proved to be a painful experience for everyone in the organization.

Now, the IIHF World Championships offer an opportunity to rewrite the narrative this spring. A medal, when everything is said and done, should become a silver lining for this season.

The tourney will get started on Friday, May 15, and will run through Sunday, May 31. Borgen and the US will be looking to reprise their gold-medal performance from last spring. Meanwhile, other teams like Canada and Finland will be looking to reclaim the top spot.

The event will take place in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.

USA Looking to Follow-Up Historical Olympic Gold

Claiming IIHF World Championship gold would be a fantastic follow-up to this year’s Olympic glory. The US won the gold medal at Milano-Cortina, 46 years to the day the US last won the men’s hockey tournament at the Olympics.

A first-place win would cement the United States’ dominance as the hockey powerhouse of the world. That title has been held by other nations such as Canada, Sweden, Finland, and even the Soviet Union back in the day. But now, the US has emerged as one of the top teams in the world.

That’s why there’s plenty at stake in this year’s World Championships. Sure, the tourney doesn’t get as much press as the Stanley Cup playoffs do. But beyond playing for the Holy Grail, earning a world championship is one of hockey’s most important feats.

So, here’s hoping Borgen can play a major role in helping the US capture another prestigious international title.

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