While Borgen was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2015, he only joined the organization in 2017, after his third year with St. Cloud, playing with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. He made his NHL debut with Buffalo in 2019, the team which he would play for until 2021, when he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL expansion draft. Midway through his fourth year with Seattle, Borgen was traded to the New York Rangers for Kaapo Kakko, along with draft picks.
On March 22, 2014, during the 2013–14 season, a skate blade clipped Borgen's neck, cutting through some neck muscle, but stopping just short of his carotid artery.[2] Borgen ended his first two seasons with Moorhead totaling 12 goals, 32 assists, and 61 penalty minutes through 57 regular season and playoff games.[3]
During the 2014–15 season, with Moorhead through the regular season and playoffs, he collected 28 points and 70 penalty minutes through 27 games.[4] Borgen then joined the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) to complete the 2014–15 season. He played 21 games with the Lancers, notching one goal and seven assists for eight points.[5][6] He was ranked 114th overall in the NHL Bureau of Central Scouting's North American skater rankings.[5] Borgen was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2015 NHL entry draft, in the fourth round, 92nd overall.[7]
In a game during the 2016–17 season, Borgen while arguing a call shoved a referee, causing him to gain a two-game suspension. That season, he notched two goals and 10 assists with 60 penalty minutes through 33 games.[11][12]
Part-way through the 2017–18 season Borgen had recorded two goals and 12 assists for a career-high and team-leading 14 points through to become the NCHC Defensive Defenseman of the Year.[13] He was also named an All-NCHC Team Honorable Mention.[14] He ended the season with one more assist, for 13 total.[15]
Professional
At the completion of his junior season with the Huskies, Borgen was signed to three year, entry-level contract by the Buffalo Sabres on March 25, 2018.[16] Until the beginning of his contract the next season, Borgen was assigned to the Sabres' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans, and he signed an amateur tryout agreement with the team.[17] During the 2017–18 season, Borgen only played eight games with Rochester.[18]
During the 2018–19 season, in Rochester, Borgen tallied three goals and 11 assists for 14 points through 71 games.[19] Near the end of the season, on March 26, 2019, Borgen made his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators.[20] Borgen's call-up to the NHL that season would let him play four games.[21] During the 2019–20 season, Borgen notched only one goal and 10 assists for 11 points in 61 games.[22] During the 2020–21 season, Borgen played 10 games with Buffalo, totaling 30 hits and 14 blocked shots.[23]
Borgen and teammates celebrating his first career playoff goal in 2023
On July 21, 2021, Borgen was selected from the Sabres by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL expansion draft.[24] The Kraken then signed Borgen to a two-year, US$1,800,000 contract on August 5.[21][23] Borgen scored his first NHL goal on January 2, 2022, against the Vancouver Canucks.[25] He ended the 2021–22 season with two goals and six assists through 36 contests.[26]
On February 7, 2023, Borgen played in his 100th career game, a 4–0 loss to the New York Islanders.[27] During the 2022–23 season, Borgen achieved three goals and 17 assists through all 82 games, which at the time were his career highs.[28] On April 24, He scored his first ever playoff goal, the first goal of a 3–2 overtime victory over the Colorado Avalanche.[29] Borgen ended up playing all 14 playoff games with the Kraken.[28] Following the season, on July 7, Borgen signed a two-year, US$5,400,000 contract with the Kraken.[30]
On January 1, 2024, during the outdoor 2024 NHL Winter Classic against the Vegas Golden Knights, Borgen scored the second goal of the game—also his first of the season—as part of a 3–0 victory.[31] During the 2023–24 season, Borgen set even greater career highs, collecting 22 assists, which combined with three goals totaled 25 points.[32][33]
During the 2024–25 season, on December 18, 2024, Borgen was traded by the Kraken to the New York Rangers along with third-round and sixth-round draft picks in 2025 in exchange for Kaapo Kakko.[32] In 33 games with Seattle prior to the trade, Borgen had had one goal and one assist.[33] On January 25, 2025, he was signed by New York to a five-year, US$20,500,000 contract.[34] With New York that season, Borgen recorded four goals and nine assists for 13 points through 51 games. He also totaled 73 hits and 80 blocked shots.[35]
On January 1, 2018, Borgen was selected to the United States' roster for the 2018 Winter Olympics, one of four collegiate players to receive the honor.[37] However, Borgen did not play any games during his time with the team.[38]
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