Osburn, Hensler named to U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster
December 01, 2025 | Men's Hockey
World Junior Championship runs Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Minnesota
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 announced on Monday.
The defensemen will attend camp in Plymouth, Michigan, at USA Hockey Arena from Dec. 15-23, in hopes of making the 25-man final roster to represent the United States at the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship. The final roster is expected to be released by Dec. 24.
The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, which brings together the top national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world, runs from Dec. 26, 2025, through Jan. 5, 2026, in Minnesota, at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul and 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis.
Hensler, a sophomore, currently boasts seven points and a career-high three goals in 13 games played to rank second in scoring among Badger blue liners. On Nov. 15, he posted his first-career three-point game with a goal and two assists in UW's 6-5 overtime win against Ohio State.
A product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, the Woodbury, Minnesota, native has competed internationally for Team USA before, helping it to a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship and a silver medal at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship. The Ottawa Senators' 2025 first-round draft pick also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2023 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament.
Osburn, a freshman, is off to a strong start in his rookie year at Wisconsin, tallying two goals and six points in 10 games played to rank third among UW defensemen in scoring. His two goals are also tied for second among freshmen on the team.
The Plymouth, Michigan, native has skated internationally for Team USA before, helping it to a gold medal at 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 pick of the Buffalo Sabres.
Either Badger making the team would extend the streak to 10 consecutive years with at least one Badger competing at the World Juniors and the 39th straight event with at least one Badger competitor or staff member taking part in the tournament, dating back to 1988.
That includes 2004, when Team USA won its first gold medal and Badgers Jake Dowell, Jeff Likens and Ryan Suter all skated for the team. That team was also coached by Badger alum Mike Eaves, who was UW's head coach at the time.
Team USA boasts seven gold medals in the tournament, and three of those victories saw Badgers lead the team as captain (Luke Kunin – 2017; Jake McCabe – 2013; Derek Stepan – 2010).
All time, 62Â Badgers have played in the World Junior Championship. Most recently, Hensler helped Team USA to a gold medal in the 2025 tournament.
This year, all U.S. games will broadcast live on NHL Network, including its tournament opener against Germany on Dec. 26. The gold medal game 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.)
