Wisconsin Hockey Standouts Hensler and Osburn named to U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster
PLYMOUTH, MI – Wisconsin Badgers defensemen Daniel Hensler and Luke Osburn have been selected for the 28-player preliminary roster of the U.S. National Junior Team, USA Hockey announced Monday. The players will attend camp at USA hockey Arena in Plymouth,Michigan,from December 15-23,vying for a spot on the final 25-man roster that will compete in the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship.
The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held in Minnesota from December 26, 2025, through January 5, 2026, with games at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul and 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis.
Hensler, a sophomore, currently leads Badger defensemen in scoring with seven points and a career-high three goals in 13 games played. He recorded a career-best three-point performance on November 15 in a 6-5 overtime victory over Ohio State.Previously, Hensler helped Team USA win gold at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship and earned a silver medal at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. Drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the first round in 2025, he also won gold at the 2023 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament.
Osburn, a freshman, has made an immediate impact for the Badgers, registering two goals and six points in 10 games, ranking third among Wisconsin defensemen in scoring. He was named the 2025 USHL Defenseman of the Year and is a fourth-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres. Osburn previously contributed to a gold medal for Team USA at the 2024 World Jr. A Challenge alongside fellow Badger freshman Finn Brink.
Should either player make the final roster, it will continue a strong Wisconsin presence in the World Juniors, extending the streak to 10 consecutive years with at least one Badger competing and the 39th straight event with a badger player or staff member involved, dating back to 1988. Wisconsin has a rich history in the tournament, including a gold medal win in 2004 with Badgers Jake Dowell, Jeff Likens, and Ryan Suter on the team, coached by UW alum Mike Eaves. Three Badgers – Luke Kunin (2017), Jake McCabe (2013), and Derek Stepan (2010) – have captained Team USA to tournament victories. A total of 62 Badgers have participated in the World junior Championship all-time.
The U.S.team’s tournament schedule (Group A) is as follows:
* December 26: vs. Germany (5 p.m. CT)
* December 27: vs. Switzerland (5 p.m. CT)
* December 29: vs. Slovakia (5 p.m. CT)
* December 31: vs. Sweden (5 p.m. CT)
* January 5: Gold Medal Game (7:30 p.m. CT)
All U.S. games will be broadcast live on NHL Network.
