A Season of Accolades
The University of Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey program unveiled its 2025‑26 award winners on Tuesday, capping a season that saw the squad come within a whisk of the national championship.
Ben Dexheimer, a senior defenseman, was selected as the team's Most Valuable Player, a testament to his steady presence on the blue line and his leadership throughout the campaign.
The award for Most Improved went to forward Weston Knox, whose rapid development from a depth player to a key contributor earned him the Otto Breitenbach/Curtis Joseph distinction. Freshman forward Luke Osburn was similarly honored with the Spike Carlson/Chris Chelios Rookie of the Year accolade.
Other notable recognitions included Gavin Morrissey, who captured both the Ivan B. Williamson Scholastic Award and the Dr. Joseph Coyne/Joe Pavelski Most Consistent honor, while teammates Jack Horbach and Adam Pietila shared the Fenton Kelsey, Jr./Mike Richter Most Competitive prize.
Aiden Dubinsky received the Suter Family Unsung Hero award, and Grady Deering was celebrated with the WHA‑TV Jim Santulli 7th Man Award. Jack Phelan rounded out the list as the recipient of the Jeff Sauer Award.
The ceremony also served as a reminder that the Badgers fell just short of the national title, a near‑miss that has fueled optimism for the next chapter.