The 2026 IIHF World Championships have come and gone, and the Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] who attended can firmly be described as a mixed bag of results. For top prospect and 2025 7th overall pick James Hagens, the United States did not often put Hagens in a place to succeed, and changed his position throughout the tournament. The United States, with Hagens and Alex Steeves [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/steeves-hagens-shine-for-usa-in-first-exhibition], was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Fraser Minten and Team Canada. Henri Jokiharju had a phenomenal tournament [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/korpisalo-jokiharju-claim-gold-at-iihf-worlds], getting named a tournament All-Star, en route to Finland claiming gold. However, one Bruins player had an excellent tournament that's gone under the radar. Lukas Reichel [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/breaking-bruins-acquire-former-first-round-pick-at-deadline] put up four goals and eight points in Germany's six games, second on the team and good for a tie for 20th amongst all skaters, while playing notably fewer games than the rest, with Germany bowing out in the group stage. Reichel's tournament shows the promise he has as a skill forward, where he still possesses immense potential. There's a reason Reichel was a first-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. The Bruins acquired Reichel for a sixth-round pick at the 2026 Trade Deadline [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins/latest-news/breaking-bruins-acquire-former-first-round-pick-at-deadline]. Reichel then posted one goal and two assists in 10 regular-season games with the Bruins, and went pointless in his only playoff game.
