James Hagens joins Team USA men's world roster

James Hagens joins Team USA men's world roster originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Per a recent report, NHL rookie and budding member of the Boston Bruins James Hagens has been added to the Team USA roster for the upcoming Men's World Hockey Championship.

NHL insider Mark Divver first made the report late in the evening on May 1. The 2026 IIHF Men's World Championship is set to take place in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland from May 15-31, with the U.S. entering as the defending gold medalist. USA Hockey will be coached by Don Granato who was previously named as head coach of the 2026 U.S. Men’s National Team. Brett Peterson was also named as the team's general manager.

Hagens saw his NHL debut for the Bruins on April 12, after he was originally selected as the No. 7 overall selection in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

All Team USA games for the Men's World Championship are to be televised live by NHL Network.

James Hagens to play for the U.S. at 2026 IIHF Men's World Championship

USA Hockey is looking to build on the success from the men's, women's and paralympic teams all winning gold medals at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics; this marked the first time in U.S. and Olympic history this accomplishment was made.

Hagens will represent the red, white and blue after having recorded his first league point — an assist late in the second period— the same day as his debut at the Columbus Blue Jackets. 

James Hagens to play for United States at IIHF World Championship in Switzerland later this month, per source— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) May 2, 2026

Prior to his professional hockey career, Hagens had appeared in 34 games with Boston College this year. With BC, the forward had led BC with six game-winning goals, two hat tricks and 133 shots. Hagens concluded his career for the Eagles with 84 points (34 goals, 50 assists) across 71 games played.

Hagens — a Hauppauge, New York, native — is currently signed to a three-year entry-level contract with an annual NHL cap hit of $975,000.

He has also represented the United States internationally before in two IIHF World Junior Championships (2025, 2026) and two IIHF U-18 Men’s World Championships (2023, 2024). Hagens won gold at the 2025 World Juniors and the 2023 U-18 tournaments. 

The U.S. will open play in the 2026 Men's World Hockey Championship against Switzerland on May 15, and then against Great Britain on May 17 — per the IIHF current schedule. 

MORE:2026 U.S. Men’s National Team coaching staff finalized