Horbach inks deal with AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
April 16, 2026 | Men's Hockey
Senior begins pro career with Pittsburgh Penguins organization
MADISON, Wis. – After a four-year Badger career that ended with an NCAA title game appearance, senior forward Jack Horbach begins his professional career with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, signing a one-year AHL deal for the 2026-27 season, the franchise announced on Thursday.
With the contract, the forward joins a franchise that boasts former Badger defenseman Daniel Laatsch and forward Mathieu De St. Phalle.
"It's feels unbelievable," Horbach said. "The fact that I have the opportunity to go play after our season is done just shows what the University of Wisconsin has done for me -- the coaching staff and resources we have here is just unbelievable. Getting this opportunity, I owe it all to this school and this team and how hard we worked, so getting this opportunity is awesome."
From Naperville, Illinois, Horbach owns 16 goals and 39 points in 143 games played in his collegiate career. A versatile forward who has jumped on defense when needed, the skater is a past recipient of the team's WHA-TV/Jim Santulli 7th-Man award as well as the Fenton Kelsey, Jr./Mike Richter Most Competitive Player award.
A three-time Academic All-Big Ten skater, the senior finished his final season as a Badger with three goals and eight points, including scoring the game-winner against Dartmouth in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament to give UW its first tournament win since 2010.
An expert penalty killer, Horbach finished his UW career with three short-handed goals, tallying one each year except during his sophomore season.
Before starting his NCAA career with the Badgers, Horbach skated for the USHL's Madison Capitols and Lincoln Stars.
"Four years here at probably the best school ever, I can't say thank you enough to everybody who supported me along the way and helped me get to where I am now," Horbach added.
"I can't thank this school enough. The coaching staff has done an unbelievable job developing me and I am forever indebted to them. Getting the opportunity to play here and try to win a national championship is everything. It sucks that we fell short, but we're bringing this program back to what the tradition and culture should be so getting a chance to do that is awesome and means everything to me."
