(UW ATHLETICS) – Forward Quinn Finley is turning pro after his junior year with the Badgers, signing a two-year entry-level contract with the New York Islanders that begins with the 2026-27 season, the franchise announced on Wednesday.
The Suamico, Wisconsin, native was selected by the Islanders in the third round of the 2022 NHL Draft at No. 78 overall.
“It means the world,” Finley beamed. “The work kind of starts now, as my dad said. You have to bring your game up to the next level and be ready to go.
“When I first came to Wisconsin, I came here to develop, mature and grow my game. I think being here helped my game tremendously. Being with Coach Hastings the last three years, I thought I grew in parts of my game that are needed at the next level.
“I’m super fortunate to sign with New York. I’ve dreamed of this as a kid.”
Finley finished his junior season with 17 goals and 33 points in 37 games played, leading the team in goals and ranking second in points, as well as tying for second with three game-winning goals and four power-play goals.
Across 110 career NCAA games played in three years as a Badger, the forward recorded 47 goals, 89 points, 12 power-play goals and six game-winning tallies.
In the 2026 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament regionals, Finley led all skaters with five points in two games, helping the Badgers to a national title game appearance and earning Worcester Regional All-Tournament Team honors. The forward was also named to the preseason All-Big Ten team, as well as earning a Hobey Baker Memorial Award fan vote nominee nod and a Big Ten Star of the Week in December.
As a sophomore in 2024-25, the junior led the team with a career-high 20 goals and 20 assists for 40 points, becoming the first Badger skater to reach the 20-goal, 40-point mark since Cole Caufield in 2021. The Academic All-Big Ten skater was also a Hobey Baker fan vote nominee as a sophomore, earning two Big Ten Stars of the Week, an All-Big Ten Second-Team Selection and Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off Most Outstanding Forward honors.
During his freshman year, Finley tallied 10 goals and 16 points to rank third among UW freshmen in scoring, earning a Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year watch list nod.
Before starting his collegiate career, Finley skated for the USHL’s Madison Capitols from 2021-23, as well as the Chicago Steel in 2020-21 and 2022-23.
The forward is also accomplished on the international stage, earning a spot on the U.S. Collegiate Selects team at the 2025 Spengler Cup, tallying two goals and five points in four tournament games played to help the team to a second-place finish. He also helped Team USA to a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, as well as skating for the United States at the 2022 World Junior A Challenge, tallying two goals and six points en route to a first-place finish.
“I love my time here. I love being a Badger,” Finley said. “It is the best three years of my life and I have some friends for life.
“I want to say thanks to everyone. When the fans are cheering, even when the announcer says my name and Suamico a little louder, I’m so appreciative. I love Madison. It holds a special place in my heart. I’m going to love coming back and seeing the boys and seeing and skating with them in the summer. This place is one of one. There’s no other place like it. You can truly get better and have fun doing it.”
Dexheimer signs with Wild: After a four-year career with Wisconsin, team captain and senior defenseman Ben Dexheimer has signed a one-year, entry-level deal with the Minnesota Wild beginning in 2026-27, the franchise announced on Wednesday.
The defenseman will join the AHL’s Iowa Wild on an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) contract for the remainder of the season.
Over his four years as a Badger, Dexheimer totaled 13 goals and 84 points in 149 games played. During his senior season, he tied his career-high in scoring with 28 points set during his sophomore year, and set a career high in goals with seven.
From Edina, Minnesota, the senior scored the game-winning goal, 24 seconds into overtime, against third-overall seed Michigan State in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Tournament regional finals to send Wisconsin to its first Frozen Four since 2010. He earned recognition on both the 2026 NCAA Worcester Regional and 2026 NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament Teams for his outstanding postseason performances.
Dexheimer finished the 2025-26 season as the Big Ten’s top scoring defenseman with 28 points on seven goals and 21 assists. He notched four game-winning goals to lead the roster, and his three power-play goals ranked fifth. The senior also sat second on the team in blocks with 56.
The Academic-All Big Ten and 2026 Hobey Baker fan vote nominee has been stellar on the blue line for the Badgers, also owning 2026 All-Big Ten First Team and 2024 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention nods, 2024-25 preseason All-Big Ten First Team honors and a Big Ten Star of the Week award. He was also Wisconsin’s recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
Prior to skating for UW, the defenseman skated for the USHL’s Madison Capitols and NAHL’s Austin Bruins.
Montgomery to Senators: Freshman forward Blake Montgomery is turning pro after his freshman year with the Badgers, signing a three-year entry-level contract that begins with the 2026-27 season, the franchise announced on Wednesday.
The forward was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in the fourth round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft at 117th overall.
Montgomery will play out the balance of the season with the AHL’s Belleville Senators on an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) contract.
“It means everything,” Montgomery said about signing with Ottawa. “It’s what you dream of since you’re a kid. You watch the NHL growing up. It’s pretty surreal for it to be happening. I kind of can’t even believe it’s still real. I’m trying to stay kind of calm and prepare for what’s coming ahead. It’s very exciting.
“My family might be more excited than me. They’re pumped up. They’re happy for everything. All the time and all what they put in as well other family members – anyone who helped me get to this point, the credit goes to them just as much as the time and work I put in myself.”
Montgomery becomes the first UW skater to turn pro after his freshman year since 2020, when forward Alex Turcotte signed an entry-level contract with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.
He finishes his NCAA career with nine goals and 17 points in 38 games played. His nine goals were tied for fifth on the roster and led all UW freshmen. His 17 points ranked fourth among Badger rookies.
From Oct. 25-Nov. 8, the Bowie, Maryland, native tallied five goals in five games after notching his first NCAA goal versus Alaska on Oct. 25, earning Big Ten Star of the Week nods on Nov. 4 (first star) and Nov. 25 (second star).
Before starting his NCAA career, Montgomery played for both the USHL’s Lincoln Stars and OHL’s London Knights in 2024-25, helping the Knights to an OHL Championship title and their second consecutive Hamilton Spectator trophy, given to the OHL regular season champions. He also notched one goal and two points in five games played to help the Knights win the 2025 Memorial Cup.
“It taught me a lot being here,” Montgomery said. “It taught me about discipline, relentlessness and it added maturity to my game.
“I take the friendships and memories I made and will never take for granted the time I spent in Madison. I’m so proud of this group. Nobody expected us to get to where we did, so for us to get there, I’m just so proud.”
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