Quick Six: Badgers face the U.S. Under-18 Team

Friday, January 13

MADISON, WI

7 p.m.

Wisconsin Badgers

U.S. Under-18 Team (Exhibition)

Buy Tickets

Quick Six: Badgers face the U.S. Under-18 Team

January 10, 2023 | Men's Hockey

Two future Badgers will get a taste of Wisconsin hockey

By: Clara Boudette

MADISON, Wis. — This week, the Wisconsin men's hockey team faces off against the U.S National Team Development Program's Under-18 Team in an exhibition contest on Friday, Jan. 13, at the Kohl Center.

Here are six quick things to know before tuning in:

Rosters: Badgers || Team USA

1 - STARRING CRUZ LUCIUS: After recording five points in the Badger's series split against then-No. 20/18 Notre Dame, freshman forward Cruz Lucius was recognized as the Big Ten Second Star of the Week, the league announced Tuesday. He tallied assists on all four goals last Saturday for his second career four-point game.

The U.S. Under-18 Team alum leads the Badgers' roster with eight goals and 15 assists, averaging over a point-per-game with 23 points in 22 games. He is in the midst of a six-game point streak that totals 11 points.

Helping the Badgers net five of their six goals against Notre Dame netted Cruz Lucius Big Ten Second Star of the Week

He's leading UW with 23 points in 22 games pic.twitter.com/ttlRBOzhsF
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 10, 2023

2 - STRAMEL BRINGS HOME BRONZE: Freshman forward Charlie Stramel helped Team USA beat Sweden, 8-7 in overtime, to claim bronze at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. Stramel recorded three assists in seven tournament games.

.Charlie Stramel bringing home a bronze medal from World Juniors#Badgers || 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/BZS1YmbVQO
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 5, 2023

3 - FACE-OFF AGAINST CANCER: Wisconsin men's hockey is facing off against cancer in partnership with JD McCormick Properties this season. JD McCormick will donate $10 per home faceoff win, with the tracker beginning at 328 (home faceoffs won so far) on Jan. 6 against Notre Dame for a current running total of $3,280.

JD McCormick will present a check to UW Carbone Cancer Center ahead of Wisconsin's matchup against Ohio State on Jan. 20 at the Kohl Center during the Badgers' annual Face-off Against Cancer game.

4 - FUTURE BADGERS: USNTDP defensemen Brady Cleveland and Zach Schultz are set to join the Badgers as part of their incoming class of signees.

The duo skates with this year's under-18 team that boasts an 11-4-0 record against NCAA Division I opponents, including victories over Notre Dame, Michigan State and Boston University, among others.

Cleveland, a Wausau, Wisconsin, native, has three assists in 28 games with Team USA this season.

Schultz, who hails from South Lyon, Michigan, stands with two assists in 24 games played this season.

Both are among the four future Badgers who will take part in Monday's 2023 BioSteel All-American Game with rosters made up of 2023 NHL Draft prospects.

5 - PROGRAM CONNECTIONS: Five current Badgers have roots at the USA NTDP. Daniel Laatsch, Owen Lindmark, Cruz Lucius, Charlie Stramel, and Ty Smilanic previously skated at the program headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan.

Senior forward Owen Lindmark claimed bronze at the 2019 Under-18 World Championship along with former Badgers Cole Caufield and Alex Turcotte. Freshmen forwards Cruz Lucius and Charlie Stramel are the most recent additions to the Badgers roster from the NTDP and won silver at the 2022 Under-18 World Championship.

All-time, 41 Badgers have played for the U.S. National Team Development Program.

6 - HOW TO WATCH: Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on Friday. Stream the game live on B1G+ or listen on the radio on 1310 WIBA. Follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey

Welcoming the U.S. Under-18 Team including two future Badgers to the Kohl Center on Friday

Defensemen Brady Cleveland (Wausau, WI)) and Zach Schulz (South Lyon, MN)

🎟 https://t.co/QN1aMPOn05 pic.twitter.com/qCVQfuYLOh
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 9, 2023