Today USA Hockey named the 25 players who will be part of the 2026 U.S. National Junior team at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, and one New York Rangers prospect got the news they were hoping for this time last year.
EJ Emery named to Team USA roster
The Rangers selected Emery 30th overall at the 2024 NHL Draft, and he was a late cut for the 2025 U.S. National Junior team last January. This go round he beat out prospects that include Blake Fiddler from the Seattle Kraken, and Henry Brzustewicz of the Los Angeles Kings.
Emery's D+1 season saw him appear in 31 games for the University of North Dakota, and he tallied just one assist. Prior to the draft he was a member of Team USA's U18 team, and in seven games he had six assists.
EJ Emery’s first career NCAA goal in Game No. 33 was worth the wait. #NYR pic.twitter.com/VPyNtLmyIO
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) October 18, 2025
This year has been better for Emery, as he's up to two goals and two assists for four points in 17 games. While defense is what the Rangers drafted him for, he's improving the chances of becoming an NHL player by showing he can contribute some offense. The Rangers are no strangers to this, as Brady Skjei famously tallied just three points during his rookie campaign, but he followed that up with 14 points as a sophomore, and 10 as a junior, and has gone on to have a successful career as a defenseman.
EJ Emery is already a top-notch shutdown defenseman in his freshman season. This card is insanely telling. NoDak has a stud, #NYR has a future lineup consistent. https://t.co/Jc4MZJzxlH pic.twitter.com/oLbgNJ5Dyt
— Foley (@NHLFoley) March 13, 2025
Where Emery fits in
Team USA's defense corps features three players from the 2025 gold medal squad, and those players are Logan Hensler, Cole Hutson, and Adam Kleber. Emery and four other defenders are newcomers, and he should have every opportunity to earn a spot on the main roster in the tournament.
Emery and Hensler are the lone first round picks on the roster, Hutson and Keber were selected in the second round, Luke Osburn was a fourth round pick, and Asher Barnett was a fifth round pick. Chase Reid and Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen are both prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Team USA opens up play on Friday, December 26th against Germany, and then plays again on Saturday, December 27th vs. Switzerland. For the full schedule of games, you can visit Team USA's website.