Dexheimer, Osburn honored with Big Ten awards
March 18, 2026 | Men's Hockey
Defensemen recognized among the Big Ten's best
MADISON, Wis. – Two Badgers – Ben Dexheimer and Luke Osburn – earned recognition among the best in the Big Ten from coaches and media as they received All-Big Ten honors, the Conference announced on Wednesday.
Dexheimer became the third Badger defenseman to earn All-Big Ten First Team honors, while Osburn became the fourth UW rear guard honored on the All-Big Ten Freshman Team. Osburn also earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention accolades.
Senior Dexheimer led the duo as an All-Big Ten First Team selection. The Edina, Minnesota, native leads all Badger blueliners with six goals and 24 points, and his 24 points tie for 18th among defenders nationally. Wisconsin's captain ranks fourth on the Badger roster in scoring and second in assists, and he sits fourth with three power-play goals. He's also tied for first among UW skaters with three game-winning goals and is second with 48 blocks.
An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection in 2024, the defenseman sits second among all rear guards in the Big Ten with 24 points, and he also finished tied for the Big Ten lead among blueliners in regular-season conference play with 17 points in 24 conference games. In addition to his All-Big Ten honor, the senior is a 2025-26 Hobey Baker Fan Vote Nominee, as well as a Big Ten Star of the Week, earning the conference's third star on Nov. 25.
Also named UW's recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, Dexheimer joins Jake McCabe and Wyatt Kalynuk as previous All-Big Ten First Team defensemen for the Badgers.
Additionally, freshman Osburn earned selection as an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention defenseman, as well as a member of the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. The Plymouth, Michigan, native shares fourth in the country among freshmen defensemen with 20 points on the season (5 goals, 15 assists). Osburn's 20 points are the most for a UW freshman defenseman since NHLer K'Andre Miller posted five goals and 22 points as a rookie during the 2018-19 season.
The 2024 Buffalo Sabres draft pick (fourth round, 108 overall) sits second among Badger freshmen with 20 points, and his five goals are good for second among UW defensemen. His 20 points rank second among Badger rear guards. The 2024-25 USHL Defenseman of the Year is also a Big Ten Star of the Week, earning a second star honor on Feb. 19.
Osburn joins defensemen Wyatt Kalynuk, K'Andre Miller and Logan Hensler who are prior Badger All-Big Ten Freshman Team members.
Dexheimer, Osburn and the 2025-26 Badger squad await the 2026 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament Selection Show on Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. CT on ESPNU to find out if the season continues.
UW currently sits 12th in the NCAA Percentage Index, or NPI, the official system for selecting and seeding teams for the NCAA tournament. Sixteen teams will make the national tournament, with all conference tournament winners receiving automatic bids, and the rest of the field determined by NPI placement.
WISCONSIN BIG TEN HONORS
Ben Dexheimer - All-Big Ten First Team
Luke Osburn - All-Big Ten Honorable Mention
Luke Osburn - Big Ten All-Freshman Team
Ben Dexheimer - Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
