Three of Minot State University’s (MSU) star hockey players have earned that honor as Jay Buchholz, Christian Kadolph, and Paige Ackerman each will represent their country as members of Team USA at the 2025 Winter World University Games in Torino, Italy from January 13-23.

“We are all incredibly proud of Jay and Christian. They are not only tremendous on the ice, but they are quality young men that set the standard for our program each and every day,” said MSU men’s head coach Wyatt Waselenchuk. “Having this opportunity is a testament to the time they put in, and I know that they will represent Minot State University, and our team in the highest regard while over in Italy,”

Waselenchuk will join Buchholz and Kadolph on the bench in Italy as an assistant coach for the men’s Team USA squad.

For Buchholz, a senior from Fargo, North Dakota, and Kadolph, a junior from Brainerd, Minnesota, this is the second time they will put on a Team USA jersey as both played for the gold-medal winning team in April of 2023 at the World Cup of Hockey in Romania.

Kari GIbb/MDN MSU men’s hockey senior Jay Buchholtz (18) and junior Christian Kadolf (26) were named to Team USA Hockey as repeats on the men’s roster. MSU women’s hockey senior Paige Ackerman (9) will join the women’s team as a first time skater.

This will be the first time for Ackerman, a senior from Minot, North Dakota, playing on the international stage and for Team USA.

“It is an amazing honor and well deserved for Paige!” said MSU women’s head coach Ryan Miner. “The opportunity to be on a world stage and represent Minot State and the community of Minot is great! While we will miss Paige for some crucial games in the spring, but we will be cheering her on every step of the way!”

A senior defenseman, Ackerman has played in 115 games in her 4-year Beaver career, scoring 14 goals and assisting on 44 others, which includes one goal and eight assists this season. She also is an American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Academic All-American.

“It is such an incredible feeling to have been chosen to be a part of this team,” said Ackerman. “It’s a huge honor to be selected to play alongside such talented women at such a high level of competition. I am so excited and grateful to have an opportunity to represent my country on the international stage and also get a once-in-a-lifetime experience in traveling to Italy!”

As for Buchholz, the Beavers team captain, he is a senior forward who has played in 104 career games over 4 seasons at MSU, scoring 42 goals and assisting on 65 others, which includes six goals and 11 assists this season. He also helped lead the Beavers to the program’s third ACHA National Championship in March of 2023.

“It is an unbelievable honor to be able to represent my country and the ACHA for a second time,” said Buchholz. “I’m very thankful the coaches are giving me this opportunity.”

Kadolph is a forward and one of the Beavers’ assistant captains this season who has played in 88 games during his three years at MSU, scoring 21 goals and assisting on 67 others, which includes four goals and nine assists this season.

During the 2023-24 season, he tied the team single-season record with 41 assists, and during his freshman season with the Beavers he helped MSU win the program’s third ACHA National Championship.

“Being able to represent Team USA for the second time is truly an incredible privilege,” said Kadolph. “When I was selected the first time, it was a dream come true, but being selected again is truthfully something I never imagined. I wouldn’t be able to have this opportunity without my family, friends, coaches, and teammates. I’m incredibly grateful and excited to represent our country and wear the red, white, and blue once again!!”