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Unexpected New Jersey Devils forward will get an opportunity on the international stage

The rosters for the IIHF World Championships have been named, and there are multiple New Jersey Devils players representing their country. With Jack Hughes staying home, a different Devils forward will represent Team USA.
ByNick Villano|
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New Jersey Devils left wing Paul Cotter (47): Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
New Jersey Devils left wing Paul Cotter (47): Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images | Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Nico Hischier and Timo Meier are preparing for the tournament of a lifetime. They will represent Switzerland at the IIHF World Championships, which take place in Zurich and Fribourg. Getting a chance to play in your home country only comes once every few years, if ever, for European NHL players. 

Hischier got a chance to play in Switzerland in 2018, when the Devils took on SC Bern prior to the start of the season. Now, he gets to return to his Swiss home, but this time, he gets to wear the Swiss crest, and he’s teammates with Timo Meier. Unfortunately, Jonas Siegenthaler suffered an injury and cannot play in his home country. 

Obviously, international hockey is on many minds after the success of the Winter Olympics in Italy. The popularity of hockey is as high as its been in a long time after Jack Hughes scored the Golden Goal to give Team USA the gold medal for the first time since the Miracle On Ice. 

With the IIHF World Championships around the corner, many were wondering if Hughes, who is healthy to end the season for the first time in three years, would put back on the red, white, and blue. 

He did not. 

When the United States announced their roster, the Golden Boy with the Golden Goal wasn’t listed. There are some stars heading over there, including Matthew Tkachuk and Justin Faulk. However, it’s mostly young guns on the team, including James Hagens and Ryan Leonard.

While the Hughes brothers have decided against suiting up for their country, Devils fans still have a reason besides national pride to check in on Team USA. Paul Cotter is representing the U.S. of A. for the first time.

Paul Cotter has a chance to showcase his skills on an international stage

Cotter is facing an interest offseason. The Devils grinder is a restricted free agent, but he is coming off a disappointing season. He only had 15 points in 79 games. That’s not going to be enough for a team looking to be a long-term contender. Cotter is looking to impress new Devils GM Sunny Mehta. This is his last chance to do that on the ice.

The last time Cotter represented the USA was during the 2017-18 season when he played at the WJAC-19 tournament. He wasn’t a player picked for the World Juniors. He had to fight his way just to get a chance in the NHL. Now, eight years after he last represented the United States, he will get the chance to do it again.

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