A Historic Double Honor
Wisconsin's women's hockey program celebrated a milestone as two of its standout players were selected for the 2026 Big Ten Medal of Honor, the conference's oldest and most prestigious accolade.
Ben Dexheimer, a defensive anchor for the Badgers, captained the squad to its first NCAA championship game appearance since 2010 and delivered the decisive goal in the regional final against Michigan State. His leadership earned him a two‑time Academic All‑Big Ten selection and the team's Most Valuable Player award, and he will begin a one‑year, entry‑level contract with the Minnesota Wild in the 2026‑27 season.
Caroline Harvey shattered the program's single‑season defensive scoring record with 64 points and finished her collegiate career with 201 points, the most ever by a Badger defender. She capped her college journey by guiding Team USA to Olympic gold at the 2026 Winter Games, where she was named MVP, and followed that with a first‑overall selection in the 2026 Professional Women's Hockey League Draft and the IIHF Female Player of the Year honor.
The twin recognitions mark the first time in University of Wisconsin history that both Big Ten Medal of Honor recipients hail from the hockey team, underscoring the program's rise on the national stage.