James Nichols
New Jersey Devils forward Paul Cotter has been selected to the preliminary roster for the 2026 U.S. Men’s National Team at the IIHF Men’s World Championship in Switzerland.
This is Cotter’s first time playing for USA’s men’s national team.
The 26-year-old Canton, Michigan native last represented the U.S. at the 2017-18 World Junior A Challenge.
Full Team USA Preliminary Roster:
Forwards: Cotter, Matt Coronato, James Hagens, Isaac Howard, Sam Lafferty, Ryker Lee, Ryan Leonard, Oliver Moore, Danny Nelson, Tommy Novak, Mathieu Olivier, Max Plante, Max Sasson, and Matthew Tkachuk
Defense: Will Borgen, Declan Carlile, Connor Clifton, Justin Faulk, Wyatt Kaiser, Ryan Lindgren, Mason Lohrei, Ryan Ufko
Goalies: Drew Commesso, Devin Cooley, Joseph Woll
Cotter appeared in 82 games for the Devils in 2025-26 in what he described as a disappointing season recording 9 goals and 6 assists.
Cotter had his best season in the goal column in 2024-25 scoring 16 goals and 22 points.
In 296 career NHL games with Vegas and New Jersey, he has 47 goals and 35 assists.
The Devils forward will bring a unique blend of speed, skill, and physicality and can play in a scoring or checking role in this kind of tournament.
Cotter joins Devils teammates Nico Hischier & Timo Meier (Switzerland), Connor Brown (Canada), and Lenni Hameenaho (Finland) as participants out of New Jersey in the World Championships this summer.
He’s a former Stanley Cup Champion with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. The Devils promptly traded for him and a 2025 third round pick that summer in exchange for Alexander Holtz and Akira Schmid.
The Men’s World Championship tournament is scheduled for May 15-31, 2026. The rosters are preliminary and subject to change.
Team USA is set to face Team Switzerland first on May 15th in the preliminary round.
Cotter is a pending restricted free agent and due a new contract this summer.
