Quick Six: Wisconsin vs. U.S. Under-18 Team

Wednesday, January 1

Plymouth, MI

3 p.m.

Wisconsin Badgers

U.S. Under-18 Team (Exhibition)

Brock Caufield against Team USA (Cole Caufield)

Photo by: Greg Anderson

Quick Six: Wisconsin vs. U.S. Under-18 Team

December 30, 2019 | Men's Hockey

The Badgers play their second exhibition of the season on New Year’s Day

By: Victoria Dombeck

MADISON, WIs. — It's nearly been a month since Wisconsin fans saw the Badgers on the ice, but that break ends on New Year's Day when they take on the U.S. Under-18 Team in Plymouth, Michigan.

The game opens the second half and marks the Badgers' second exhibition matchup of the season. Here are six quick things you should know before tuning in:

1. USNTDP/BADGER CONNECTIONS: Not only does Wisconsin house seven U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP) alumni, but the Badgers will compete against one of their future teammates. Defenseman Daniel Laatsch signed his National Letter of Intent earlier this season and plays host to his future teammates. A native of Altoona, Laatsch has one goal and five assists this season playing for the U.S. Under-18 Team.

Current Badgers Sean Dhooghe, Tyler Inamoto, K'Andre Miller, Ty Emberson, Cole Caufield, Alex Turcotte and Owen Lindmark all skated for the USNTDP before becoming Badgers. An eighth, Jason Dhooghe, skated in a game for the program.

Future Badger goaltender Cameron Rowe also skated for the USNTDP.

2. WORLD JUNIORS: Four current Badgers, all USNTDP alumni, will miss the exhibition because they are in the Czech Republic representing the United States in a different way. Miller, one of the world junior team's alternate captains and a silver-medal winner from 2019, as well as Emberson, Caufield and Turcotte are all taking part in the 2020 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. The four Badgers playing for Team USA are the most since 1984. The tournament will run from Dec. 26-Jan. 5 and airs on NHL Network.

3. BREAK TIME IS OVER: When the Badgers finally skate in the game on Wednesday, Jan. 1, it will be 25 days since their last action, a Dec. 8 contest at Michigan State.

The team returned to the ice for practice on Sunday, Dec. 29 for the first time together since the Michigan State tilt.

Wisconsin returns to the Kohl Center and regular-season action on Friday, Oct. 10 against Ohio State at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.

4. #12DaysofBadgerHockey: The Badgers are celebrating '12 Day of Badger Hockey' leading up to the resumption of the regular season. Check the Badgers' twitter, instagram and facebook accounts to caption photos, answer trivia, share your Badger memories and more for a chance at daily giveaways.

5. SCOUTING THE NTDP: The U.S. Under-18 Team boasts a 18-11-0 record so far this year and a 2-8-0 mark against NCAA Division I schools.

Top producers include forwards Brett Berard and Matthew Berniers, with 13 goals and 14 assists each. Top offensive defenseman is Jake Sanderson with a total on 15 points. In-net, time has been split all season between Drew Commesso and Noah Grannan.

6. HOW TO WATCH: Fans can keep in touch with the Badgers as they travel to Plymouth, Michigan, by listening in on 1070 WTSO and the iheart radio app. Puck-drop is at 3 p.m.