Will Borgen Bio
William “Will” Borgen is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Moorhead, Minnesota, Borgen developed his skills locally before advancing through the junior and collegiate ranks. The Buffalo Sabres selected him in the fourth round, 92nd overall, during the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. After beginning his professional career with Buffalo and spending four seasons with the Seattle Kraken, Borgen joined the Rangers in December 2024, where he continues to serve as a stay-at-home defenseman known for his physical play and shot-blocking ability.
Early Life and Background
Will Borgen was born on December 19, 1996, in Moorhead, Minnesota, a city with a strong hockey tradition along the Red River Valley. Growing up in this Minnesota community, Borgen developed his passion for hockey at a young age and began his organized career with Moorhead High School, competing in the Minnesota State High School League. His early exposure to the sport came through the region’s robust youth hockey programs, which have produced numerous professional players over the years.
During his high school career spanning from 2012 to 2014, Borgen established himself as a reliable two-way defenseman. In his first two seasons with Moorhead, he recorded 12 goals and 32 assists along with 61 penalty minutes across 57 regular season and playoff games. His performance during the 2014-15 season saw him collect 28 points and 70 penalty minutes through 27 games. On March 22, 2014, Borgen suffered a frightening injury when a skate blade clipped his neck during a game, cutting through neck muscle but stopping just short of his carotid artery. This incident highlighted both the physical risks of the sport and Borgen’s resilience in returning to play.
Path to Professional Hockey
Following his third year with Moorhead High School, Borgen joined the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL), one of the premier junior leagues in North America. He completed the 2014-15 season with the Lancers, appearing in 21 games where he recorded one goal and seven assists for eight points. His play during this period earned him recognition from NHL scouts, and he was ranked 114th overall in the NHL Bureau of Central Scouting’s North American skater rankings heading into the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
The Buffalo Sabres selected Borgen in the fourth round, 92nd overall, during the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. Rather than turning professional immediately, Borgen chose to pursue his collegiate career at St. Cloud State University, joining the Huskies of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. This decision allowed him to further develop his defensive game while earning an education, a path that has produced numerous NHL players from the state of Minnesota.
Will Borgen Career
St. Cloud State University (2015-2018)
Borgen began his collegiate career with the St. Cloud State Huskies during the 2015-16 season, and he made an immediate impact as a freshman. He recorded his first collegiate point, an assist, in a game against Miami University on October 30, 2015, and later scored his first collegiate goal against Western Michigan University. By season’s end, Borgen had recorded 11 assists through 22 games, leading all NCHC freshman defensemen in assists. His strong rookie campaign earned him a selection to the NCHC All-Rookie Team, signaling his potential as a future professional.
During his sophomore season (2016-17), Borgen continued to develop his physical edge, though he faced a setback when he received a two-game suspension for shoving a referee during a game. He finished that season with two goals and 10 assists along with 60 penalty minutes through 33 games. The 2017-18 season proved to be his breakthrough year, as Borgen recorded two goals and 12 assists for a career-high and team-leading 14 points through the first portion of the season. His exceptional defensive play earned him NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year honors, along with an All-NCHC Team Honorable Mention selection.
Buffalo Sabres (2018-2021)
After his junior season with the Huskies, Borgen signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres on March 25, 2018. He was assigned to the Rochester Americans, Buffalo’s American Hockey League affiliate, where he began his professional career with an amateur tryout agreement. During the 2018-19 season with Rochester, Borgen tallied three goals and 11 assists for 14 points through 71 games, establishing himself as a reliable defenseman at the AHL level.
His strong AHL performance earned him his first NHL call-up, and Borgen made his NHL debut on March 26, 2019, against the Ottawa Senators. He appeared in four games with Buffalo that season, marking the beginning of his NHL career. During the 2019-20 season, Borgen split time between Buffalo and Rochester, recording one goal and 10 assists for 11 points in 61 games with the Sabres. The following season (2020-21), he appeared in 10 games with Buffalo, accumulating 30 hits and 14 blocked shots while continuing his development as a defensive defenseman.
Seattle Kraken Era (2021-2024)
On July 21, 2021, the Seattle Kraken selected Borgen from the Buffalo Sabres during the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, acquiring his rights as one of their foundation players. The Kraken signed him to a two-year, $1.8 million contract on August 5, 2021. This move represented a significant opportunity for Borgen to secure a regular NHL role with a new franchise. He responded by scoring his first NHL goal on January 2, 2022, in a game against the Vancouver Canucks, a milestone that validated his progression from college to the professional ranks.
The 2021-22 season saw Borgen record two goals and six assists through 36 games. He achieved a career milestone on February 7, 2023, when he played in his 100th career NHL game during a 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders. That 2022-23 season proved to be his most productive to that point, as Borgen recorded three goals and 17 assists through all 82 games, matching his career-high point total while earning more ice time. Most notably, he scored his first NHL playoff goal on April 24, 2023, the opening goal in a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory against the Colorado Avalanche. He appeared in all 14 playoff games during the Kraken’s playoff run.
Following the breakthrough season, Borgen signed a two-year, $5.4 million contract extension with Seattle on July 7, 2023. He continued his strong play during the 2023-24 season, setting new career highs with 22 assists and 25 total points (three goals, 22 assists) in 81 games. He also scored in the outdoor 2024 NHL Winter Classic against the Vegas Golden Knights on January 1, 2024, contributing to a 3-0 victory. However, midway through the 2024-25 season, the Kraken made a trade, sending Borgen to the New York Rangers.
New York Rangers (2024-Present)
On December 18, 2024, the Seattle Kraken traded Borgen to the New York Rangers in exchange for Kaapo Kakko, along with third-round and sixth-round draft picks in 2025. In 33 games with Seattle before the trade, Borgen had recorded one goal and one assist. The move represented a significant change in his career trajectory, bringing him to one of the NHL’s most storied franchises. On January 25, 2025, the Rangers signed Borgen to a five-year, $20.5 million contract extension, securing his services through the 2029-30 season and signaling their belief in his abilities as a top-four defenseman.
With the Rangers during the 2024-25 season, Borgen recorded four goals and nine assists for 13 points through 51 games. He also contributed physically, totaling 73 hits and 80 blocked shots, demonstrating the defensive characteristics that have defined his game throughout his career. The transition to a new team and conference presented challenges, but Borgen’s experience and steady defensive presence provided immediate value to the Rangers’ blue line as they pushed toward the playoffs.
Playing Style and Strengths
Borgen is known as a traditional stay-at-home defenseman who prioritizes defensive responsibility over offensive production. His 6-foot-3, 204-pound frame allows him to win battles along the boards and clear the front of the net effectively. He excels at shot-blocking and is willing to sacrifice his body to prevent scoring chances. His right-handed shot provides teams with a valuable asset on the right side of their defense pairings. While not known for generating offense, Borgen has shown the ability to contribute in transition and has developed into a reliable option against opponents’ top lines.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several moments stand out in Borgen’s career trajectory. His survival of a near-fatal skate blade incident during high school demonstrated his resilience from an early age. The 2017-18 NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year award validated his development at the collegiate level. His first NHL goal against Vancouver and his first playoff goal against Colorado represent significant milestones in his professional career. The 2024 NHL Winter Classic goal added an outdoor spectacle to his accomplishments. His trade to the Rangers and subsequent contract extension mark the culmination of his journey from a fourth-round draft pick to a reliable NHL defenseman earning significant long-term investment from a premier franchise.
Will Borgen Career Statistics
Throughout his NHL career spanning from 2019 to 2025, Borgen has established himself as a reliable defensive defenseman capable of playing in all situations. His career totals include appearances with three NHL franchises, with his most productive seasons coming during his tenure with the Seattle Kraken.
International Competition
Borgen has represented the United States at the international level on two occasions. He was selected to the United States junior team for the 2016 World Junior Championships, where he contributed three assists in seven games while helping the team capture the bronze medal. This tournament provided valuable experience competing against the world’s top young players. On January 1, 2018, Borgen was named to the United States roster for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, becoming one of four collegiate players to receive the honor. However, he did not see any game action during the tournament, as the team ultimately finished fourth.
NHL Highlights
Borgen’s NHL career includes his debut with the Buffalo Sabres in March 2019, his selection by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 expansion draft, and his eventual trade to the New York Rangers in December 2024. His most notable statistical season came in 2022-23 with Seattle when he played all 82 regular season games and contributed to the Kraken’s playoff run, including scoring his first career playoff goal in Game 1 of their series against Colorado. The 2024-25 season marked his transition to the Rangers, where he signed a long-term extension and continued his steady defensive play.
Will Borgen Personal Life
While Borgen maintains a professional approach to his career, he has shared limited details about his personal life with the public. His journey from Moorhead, Minnesota, through the junior and collegiate ranks to the NHL reflects the path taken by many American-born players from hockey-rich regions. The support system from his hometown and his ability to overcome early career setbacks, including the serious neck injury during high school, have shaped his professional mentality.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 season presented Borgen with unique circumstances as he was traded midway through the campaign from Seattle to New York. His early season numbers with the Kraken (one goal, one assist in 33 games) did not reflect his typical output, though he maintained his defensive engagement and physical presence. The trade to the Rangers provided a fresh start, and his immediate contribution with his new team (four goals, nine assists in 51 games) demonstrated his ability to adapt to new systems and teammates. The Rangers’ decision to sign him to a five-year extension through 2030 signals their confidence in his long-term value as a reliable defenseman who can log significant minutes and provide stability on the back end. As Borgen enters the prime years of his career, he remains focused on contributing to the Rangers’ playoff aspirations while continuing to develop his all-around game at the NHL level.