Hensler named to U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster
December 02, 2024 | Men's Hockey
Freshman defenseman looking to make final IIHF World Junior Championships roster
PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Badger freshman Logan Hensler was named to the 28-player U.S National Junior Team preliminary roster, USA Hockey announced on Monday.
The forwards will attend camp in Plymouth, Michigan, at USA Hockey Arena from Dec. 16-17, in hopes of making the 25-man final roster to represent the United States at the 2025Â International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship. The final roster is expected to be released by Dec. 24.
The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, which brings together the top national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world, runs from Dec. 26, 2024, through Jan. 5, 2025, in Ottawa, Ontario.Â
Hensler currently boasts five assists in 13 games played as a Badger, ranking second among defensemen and freshmen on the team in points. He's tied for fourth on the roster in blocks with 10 and is tied for second among defensemen in shots with 19.
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 silver medal at the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship. Hensler also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2023 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament. He is a highly-projected defenseman for the 2025 NHL Draft. Â
The freshman making the team would extend the streak to nine consecutive years with at least one Badger competing at the World Juniors and the 38th straight event with at least one Badger competitor or staff member taking part in the tournament dating back to 1988.
That includes in 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 six 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, 60 Badgers have played in the World Junior Championship to date. Most recently, sophomore forward Quinn Finley helped Team USA to a gold medal in the 2024 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 (1:30 p.m. CT)
- Game 2: Latvia, Dec. 28 (2:30 p.m.)
- Game 3: Finland, Dec. 29 (1:30 p.m.)
- Game 4: Canada, Dec. 31 (7 p.m.)
- Gold Medal Game – Jan. 5 (6:30 p.m.)
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