A visibly disappointed Captain Ben Dexheimer took to the podium after Wisconsin's National Championship 2-1 loss to Denver. It was a game that started so well for Wisconsin with an early 1-0 lead, but quickly unraveled in the third period and the closing minutes. Dexheimer reflected on the game but left one quote with reporters that should have Badger fans excited for the future.
It was a "we are back" quote that now reminds the hockey world that Wisconsin has Frozen Four and National Championship goals, every season. "We've kind of set the standard for Wisconsin now. I couldn't be more proud to leave a place in the hands of the guys that are coming back next year and the coaching staff that will keep this program afloat."
Ben Dexheimer reflects on his time as a Badger and what it means to have led his team to the national final. pic.twitter.com/jr0EIAWHHw
— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) April 12, 2026
Ben Dexheimer says the future is bright for Wisconsin hockey
Related: 3 reasons why the Wisconsin Badgers lost the NCAA Championship
The Wisconsin Badgers are a proud men's hockey program with National Championships and Frozen Fours in the trophy case. Yet, that was decades ago. The program hasn't been in a good spot since the early 2000s and into the 2010s. The last National Championship was in 2006, and the last time the Badgers even got to the game was 2010. The program hasn't been past the regionals since.
This year was remarkable and showed what the Badgers can be and who they are supposed to be. Dexheimer is a big part of that, as he came to a program that didn't have much recent success and helped Mike Hastings put things in order and bring the Badgers back to the top, falling one win short. The standard is set.
Wisconsin fans should be grateful for players like Dexheimer, who is grateful for Wisconsin. He told reporters after the loss, "I couldn't have asked for a better four years. I don't think there's a better place to do it at. From where this program was my freshman year, to where we are now, I couldn't be more proud to wear the W."
The program is still relatively young, with only seven seniors leaving after this season and a bunch of young stars in the making coming behind them. It's a program that should continue to find postseason success now that Mike Hastings has built the program he wants to see on the backs of Wisconsin legends like Dexheimer. On Wisconsin!