The power of three: the next leaders of Wisconsin men’s hockey
September 17, 2026 | Men's Hockey
Schulz, Palodichuk, Morrissey named 2026-27 captains
MADISON, Wis. — Zach Schulz, Joe Palodichuk and Gavin Morrissey are set to lead the Badgers through the 2026–27 season. All three were alternate captains during UW's run to the NCAA title game.
UW's tri-captains mark the first time the Badgers will boast three captains since the 2009–10 season when Hobey Baker Award-winner Blake Geoffrion, two-time Stanley Cup champion Ryan McDonagh and 2006 NCAA champion Ben Street served as tri-captains.
A defenseman hailing from South Lyon, Michigan, Schulz is no stranger to getting the puck exactly where it needs to be. Last season, the fourth year, appeared in 12 games, missing the last 23 contests due to injury. Schulz still posted 11 blocks and seven shots on the season. He earned his first point of the season with a helper in 6-1 win at No. 2 Michigan. His final point of the year came as an assist in 7-4 comeback win at Notre Dame on Dec. 5. Schulz was named Academic All-Big Ten to round out his junior year. The sixth round pick by the New York Islanders, previously led Team USA at the 2023 World Under-18 Men's Championship, scoring a goal and three points to secure the United States a gold medal.
Repping No. 14, Palodichuk, appeared in 36 games, notching three goals and 18 points to tie career highs in both categories he set his freshman year. Palodichuk ranked third among UW defensemen in scoring and tied for fifth among all skaters in assists. He led the roster with 74 blocks and a plus-18 rating, with 33 shots last season. During the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four semifinals, Palodichuk set up the game-winner in a 2-1 win over North Dakota, which also happened to be his 100th NCAA game. To finish out his third year, he was named Academic All-Big Ten. His leadership is not new; before arriving in Madison, he served as an alternate captain for the USHL's Fargo Force in 2022–23.
Before becoming captain, Morrissey was already leading the team. He led the 2025-26 roster with a career-high 27 assists and 36 points; hit 30 points for the second-straight year; tied for fifth with nine goals; tied for second with four power-play goals and three game-winning goals; and posted 54 shots and 21 blocks on the season. The list only gets longer, Morrissey tied for 14th in the country with 0.77 assists-per-game and 16th in the nation with 27 assists. He ranked fourth in the nation for faceoffs won and fifth in the conference in faceoff percentage among those who took at least 50 faceoffs. The Rochester Hills, Michigan, native was named the winner of the team's Dr. Joseph Coyne/Joe Pavelski Most Consistent Player Award, the Ivan B. Williamson Scholastic Award and earned Academic All-Big Ten honors. He is play also put him on the 2026 NCAA Worcester Regional All-Tournament Team. Just like his fellow tri-captain, Morrissey previously acted as alternate captain before becoming a Badgers for the NAHL's Austin Bruins in 2022-23.
The Wisconsin men's hockey team begins its season on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2-3, against Robert Morris.
