Ben Dexheimer

Ben Dexheimer
Dexheimer with Wisconsin in 2026
Born (2002-06-21) June 21, 2002 (age 24)
Edina, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 172 lb (78 kg; 12 st 4 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Right
NHL team (P)
Cur. team		 Minnesota Wild
Iowa Wild (AHL)
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2026–present

Ben Dexheimer (born June 21, 2002) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract as a prospect to the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

Junior

Dexheimer played for the Madison Capitols during the 2021–22 season, where he recorded eight goals and 39 assists in 60 regular season games. He also scored two goals and eight assists in 18 playoff games.

College

On February 2, 2022, Dexheimer committed to play college ice hockey at the University of Wisconsin. During the 2022–23 season, in his freshman year, he appeared in all 35 games and recorded 11 assists, and 29 blocked shots. During the 2023–24 season, in his sophomore year, he appeared in all 40 games and recorded five goals and 23 assists, to lead all defensemen on the team in goals, assists and points. He scored his first career goal on November 18, 2023, against Michigan State. During the 2024–25 season, in his junior year, he recorded one goal and 16 assists in 35 games, and led the team with 58 blocked shots.

On October 1, 2025, he was named captain for the 2025–26 season. In his senior year, he recorded seven goals and 20 assists in 37 games, to lead all defensemen on the team in points. Following the season he was named to the All-Big Ten First Team, becoming the third Badgers defenseman in program history to receive the honor. During the regional finals of the 2026 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament against Michigan State, he scored the game-winning overtime goal to help Wisconsin advance to the Frozen Four for the first time since 2010.

Professional

On April 15, 2026, Dexheimer signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild, beginning in the 2026–27 season.

Personal life

Dexheimer was born to Heather and Karl Dexheimer, and has two brothers, Finn and Barrett.

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2020–21 Austin Bruins NAHL 46 6 17 23 24 — — — — —
2021–22 Madison Capitols USHL 60 8 39 47 38 14 2 8 10 0
2022–23 University of Wisconsin B1G 35 0 11 11 12 — — — — —
2023–24 University of Wisconsin B1G 40 5 23 28 16 — — — — —
2024–25 University of Wisconsin B1G 35 1 16 17 2 — — — — —
2025–26 University of Wisconsin B1G 39 7 21 28 10 — — — — —
2025–26 Iowa Wild AHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
AHL totals 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —

Awards and honors

Award Year Ref
College
All-Big Ten First Team 2026

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ben Dexheimer". uwbadgers.com. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  2. ↑ Boudette, Clara (February 2, 2022). "Wisconsin adds Ben Dexheimer to incoming recruiting class". uwbadgers.com. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  3. ↑ "No. 1 Badgers edged out at No. 11 Michigan State". uwbadgers.com. November 18, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Men's hockey announces 2025-26 leadership group". uwbadgers.com. October 1, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  5. ↑ Mick, Kali (March 18, 2026). "Dexheimer, Osburn honored with Big Ten awards". uwbadgers.com. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  6. ↑ Stewart, Mark (March 19, 2026). "WIsconsin's Ben Dexheimer on all-Big Ten first team, a rarity for Badgers". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Ben Dexheimer sends Wisconsin to Frozen Four with overtime goal". fox11online.com. March 30, 2026. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  8. ↑ Stewart, Mark (April 2, 2026). "Ben Dexheimer's leadership is valuable asset for Wisconsin hockey". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Minnesota Wild Sign Defenseman Ben Dexheimer and Forward Rieger Lorenz to Entry-Level Contracts | Minnesota Wild". www.nhl.com. April 15, 2026. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Big Ten Conference Announces Hockey Postseason Awards". BigTen.org. Big Ten Conference. March 18, 2026. Retrieved April 3, 2026.