World Juniors Tournament Sparks Excitement Among Minnesota Hockey Fans

The holiday season brings an exciting opportunity for Minnesota hockey enthusiasts as the World Juniors tournament is set to take place in the state renowned for its passion for the sport.

Defenseman Logan Hensler, reflecting on the event, stated, "Like no other. Happens once a year. It's always on TV. People are always watching, talking about it. There's a ton of attention to it. It's a pretty cool experience."

Having previously claimed gold last January, Hensler, a Woodbury native, is now vying for a spot on Team USA amidst fierce competition from a talented roster.

"Your compete, your discipline. All around play. You get pushed every day by these guys," Hensler explained. "It's just important you keep up and keep going. Push through."

His recent months have marked significant milestones in his hockey career. After winning gold at the World Juniors, he was selected 23rd overall by the Ottawa Senators during the NHL draft in June.

"Dream come true," Hensler recalled. "Got there, it was a great experience. The moment I got picked was kind of a blur. Kind of a blackout moment. Really special. Great organization. Just happy my family was there to witness it."

As the top Minnesotan chosen in 2025, Hensler is set to return as a sophomore with the Badgers this winter, though he may soon don Ottawa's colors.

"This next coming year I'm going back to Wisconsin," he noted. "A big thing for me is taking it year by year. Just gonna take this year, see how it goes. See how I grow as a player. I think it'll be a lot of growing. So it'll be fun."

With anticipation building for the tournament, fans and players alike are eager to witness the excitement unfold on the ice.

Note: The above video first aired on July 30, 2025.

Ren Clayton joined WCCO-TV in October 2021. Ren has covered it all, from surfing to rodeos to hurricanes.