Wisconsin men's hockey senior named HCA National Defender of the Month

The Hockey Commissioners Association revealed Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey star Ben Dexheimer was named the National Defender of the Month. Dexheimer beat out Denver's Garrett Brown, Bentley's David Helledy, and Dartmouth's Tim Busconi to win the final monthly award of the 2025-26 season. The senior recently signed a one-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild as he looks to make the jump to the NHL.

He'll begin the 2026-27 season with their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. Dexheimer took home National Defender of the Month, going 1-5-6 in seven games. Of course, Badgers fans haven't forgotten about his overtime winner against Michigan State that sent Wisconsin to their first Frozen Four in 16 years.

A heck of a month for senior captain @BenDexheimer Capping it off with Hockey Commissioners’ Association National Defender of the Month The highlights - Frozen Four All-Tournament - Worcester Regional All-Tournament - OT-winning goal scorer to send UW to the Frozen Four -… pic. twitter. com/ZEtStSx6Ch — Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) April 16, 2026 The Minnesota native spent four years in Madison and somehow continued to get better each and every year.

He finished this season with a career high of seven goals and tied his career high in points (28). As a defender, no one is expecting Dexheimer to make the game-winning goal in their Regional Final matchup. The Badgers captain recorded 80 shots in consecutive seasons as his defense speaks for itself, but he continues to prove himself offensively as well.