Hauser named to Mike Richter Award watch list
January 14, 2026 | Men's Hockey
Freshman up for national goaltender of the year
MADISON, Wis. – Freshman goaltender Daniel Hauser is one of 29 players named to the initial watch list for the 2026 Mike Richter Award, which goes annually to the nation's top goaltender, the Hockey Commissioners' Association announced on Wednesday.
The award, named after the former Badger netminder, U.S. Olympian, Stanley Cup champion and U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer, was first given out in 2014.
Through 17 games played this year, Hauaser has 13 wins, a .917 save percentage and a 2.02 goals-against average. He's also recorded three shutouts – a 3-0 win at Lindenwood in his NCAA debut on Oct. 3, a 4-0 blanking against Minnesota on Nov. 1 and a 5-0 victory against Alaska Anchorage on Jan. 9 – to tie for the national lead in shutouts.Â
The Chestermere, Alberta, native most recently backstopped Wisconsin to a sweep of Alaska Anchorage on Jan. 9-10 to bring his overall record to 13-2-2, helping him rank second in the country with an .824 win percentage. His performance this season helped him earn a Big Ten Second Star of the Week nod on Oct. 21 after making 44 saves, going a perfect 11-for-11 on shootout attempts and backstopping Wisconsin to two comeback ties in its home-opening series against Minnesota State.Â
To qualify for the watch list, a goaltender needed to meet minimum goals-against average (GAA) or save percentage standards, which is anyone with a GAA at 2.30 or below or a save percentage of .920 or higher.
A committee of voters — made up of a cross-section of coaches, administrators, scouts and media — will pare this list down to approximately 12 names within the next three weeks and then ultimately choose the winner who will be announced in April during the NCAA Frozen Four. A similar award to recognize the top female goalie in the NCAA is also presented by the HCA, an honor UW women's goaltender Ava McNaughton is up for.
In UW men's hockey history, Kyle McClellan became the first Badger to win the award in 2024 after Joel Rumpel was one of the top five finalists for the inaugural award in 2014.
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