Osburn, Hensler named to U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster

MADISON, Wis. – Wisconsin defensemen Logan Hensler and Luke Osburn have been named to the 28-player U.S National Junior Team preliminary roster, USA Hockey introduced on Monday.

The defensemen will attend camp in Plymouth, Michigan, at USA Hockey Arena from Dec. 15-23, in hopes of creating the 25-man closing roster to characterize the United States on the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship. The closing roster is anticipated to be launched by Dec. 24.

The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, which brings collectively the highest nationwide under-20 ice hockey groups from around the globe, runs from Dec. 26, 2025, by Jan. 5, 2026, in Minnesota, at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul and 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis.

Hensler, a sophomore, at the moment boasts seven factors and a career-high three targets in 13 video games performed to rank second in scoring amongst Badger blue liners. On Nov. 15, he posted his first-career three-point sport with a aim and two assists in UW’s 6-5 time beyond regulation win in opposition to Ohio State.

A product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, the Woodbury, Minnesota, native has competed internationally for Team USA earlier than, serving to it to a gold medal on the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship and a silver medal on the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. The Ottawa Senators’ 2025 first-round draft decide additionally received a gold medal with Team USA on the 2023 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament.

Osburn, a freshman, is off to a robust begin in his rookie yr at Wisconsin, tallying two targets and 6 factors in 10 video games performed to rank third amongst UW defensemen in scoring. His two targets are additionally tied for second amongst freshmen on the group.

The Plymouth, Michigan, native has skated internationally for Team USA earlier than, serving to it to a gold medal on the 2024 World Jr. A Challenge, alongside fellow Badger freshman Finn Brink. The 2025 USHL Defenseman of the Year is a 2024 fourth-round draft decide of the Buffalo Sabres.

Either Badger making the group would lengthen the streak to 10 consecutive years with at the least one Badger competing on the World Juniors and the thirty ninth straight occasion with at the least one Badger competitor or workers member participating within the match, relationship again to 1988.

That consists of 2004, when Team USA received its first gold medal and Badgers Jake Dowell, Jeff Likens and Ryan Suter all skated for the group. That group was additionally coached by Badger alum Mike Eaves, who was UW’s head coach on the time.

Team USA boasts seven gold medals within the match, and three of these victories noticed Badgers lead the group as captain (Luke Kunin – 2017; Jake McCabe – 2013; Derek Stepan – 2010).

All time, 62 Badgers have performed within the World Junior Championship. Most just lately, Hensler helped Team USA to a gold medal within the 2025 match.

This yr, all U.S. video games will broadcast reside on NHL Network, together with its match opener in opposition to Germany on Dec. 26. The gold medal sport takes place on Jan. 5.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE FOR USA (GROUP A):

– Game 1: Germany, Dec. 26 (5 p.m. CT)

– Game 2: Switzerland, Dec. 27 (5 p.m.)

– Game 3: Slovakia, Dec. 29 (5 p.m.)

– Game 4: Sweden, Dec. 31 (5 p.m.)

– Gold Medal Game – Jan. 5 (7:30 p.m.)