It’s been a while since a Wisconsin hockey player achieved the level of acclaim Ben Dexheimer did March 18.
The Badgers defenseman became the first UW skater in five years to claim first-team all-Big Ten distinction. You have to go back six years to find the last defenseman to achieve that level of regard.
Dexheimer was one of two Badgers to receive all-Big Ten distinction. Freshman defenseman Luke Osburn made the all-freshman team and received honorable mention overall.
Wisconsin’s last first-team all-Big Ten selection was goaltender Kyle McClellan two years ago. Dexheimer is just the third first-team defenseman for UW in the Big Ten’s 13 seasons of hockey. Wyatt Kalynuk (2020) and Jake McCabe (2014) are the others.
Dexheimer’s all-conference distinction is the second of his career. He was an honorable mention pick in 2024.
This season he leads all UW defenders in goals (six) and points (24) and leads the team in blocks (48) and game-winning goals (three).
This marks the second straight year Wisconsin had a member of the all-freshman team. Defenseman Logan Hensler and forward Gavin Morrissey were selected last season. Osburn ranks fourth in the nation among freshman defensemen with 20 points.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: WIsconsin’s Ben Dexheimer on all-Big Ten first team, a rarity for Badgers
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
