Jayden Kurtz has committed to the University of Wisconsin. At 6-foot-3, Kurtz brings prototypical size for a modern defenseman.
The production, 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points in 26 games at Rogers, highlights the offensive upside, but it only tells part of the story. Kurtz is a high-IQ defender whose reads drive positive outcomes. A Mr. Hockey finalist this season, Kurtz consistently showed he can handle hard minutes and play in all situations. NHL Central Scouting has him ranked 77th for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Now with the Chicago Steel in the USHL, Kurtz has begun the next phase of his development, and the early returns suggest he’s adapting well to the pace and structure of junior hockey. For Wisconsin, this is a significant get, a defenseman with pro habits, positional detail, and a game that projects.