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.
Cotter is playing for the USA men's national team for the first time.
The 26-year-old Canton, Michigan native last represented the United States at the 2017-18 World Junior A Challenge.
Full Team USA preliminary roster:
Ahead: Cotter, Matt Coronato, James Hagens, Isaac Howard, Sam Lafferty, Ryker Lee, Ryan Leonard, Oliver Moore, Danny Nelson, Tommy Novak, Matthew Olivier, Max Plante, Max Sasson, and Matthew Tkachuk
protect: Will Borgen, Declan Carlyle, Connor Clifton, Justin Faulk, Wyatt Kaiser, Ryan Lindgren, Mason Lohrey, Ryan Uffko
goalkeeper:Drew Comeso, 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 a scoring or checking role in a tournament like this.
Cotter joins Devils teammates Nico Hischier and Timo Mayer (Switzerland), Connor Brown (Canada), and Lenny Haminaho (Finland) as participants out of New Jersey at the World Championships this summer.
He is a former Stanley Cup champion with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023. The Devils immediately 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. Rosters are preliminary and subject to change.
Team USA is set to face Team Switzerland first on May 15 in the preliminary round.
Cotter is a pending restricted free agent and is due to sign a new contract this summer.
