Minnesota Wilderness Alternate Captain Blanck makes NCAA DI Commitment

The Minnesota Wilderness of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) are proud to announce that forward Talan Blanck has committed to play NCAA Division I hockey for the University of Wisconsin in the Big Ten.

The 5-foot-11 lefty from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Blanck will join the Badgers this fall in his home state.

“It is a dream come true; I grew up going to Badger games, and now I get to go to school there,” stated Blanck.

The 20-year-old had an offensively heavy season for the Minnesota Wilderness, helping his team reach the Robertson Cup championship game in May. Blanck was one game shy of playing every game in the 2025-26 regular season, lacing up for 58 out of 59 games for the Wilderness. As one of the top point-getters on the team, the future Badger scored 28 goals and made 38 assists in his age-out season. Blanck registered 66 points in the regular season, over a point per game. The ‘05 forward was able to score at crucial moments of games, finding twine three times in game-winning fashion while scoring 10 power-play goals during the season. He featured a +30 rating in that span for the Minnesota-based team. In addition, Blanck registered 22 multi-point contests in the regular season. His work on the ice earned him a spot and opportunity at the Top Prospects Tournament at the USA Hockey Arena. He played for the Midwest Division team at the annual event.

Head coach of the Wilderness, Zach Stepan, explained why Blanck’s dedication to the team is a big reason why he is receiving this opportunity for the team he grew up watching.

“That’s a kid being willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants. He’s not only doing that in his own way, but he’s doing that in a way that is helping the team. It is probably a big reason Wisconsin wanted to nab him up.”

Blanck’s offensive production continued into the postseason, where he led his team in almost every scoring category. The alternate captain scored a team-leading and postseason-leading 12 goals, just one tally shy of the NAHL postseason record. In addition, he produced a team-leading 11 assists and 23 points. Blanck registered nearly two points per game in the postseason, playing a critical role in helping his team to a Robertson Cup appearance in Blaine, Minnesota.

The 5-foot-11 forward went into detail on what head coach Mike Hastings was looking for in players for the upcoming season. “He just said they are looking for guys that want to be a Badger; be all in. I think I fit that role pretty well.”

Head coach of the Wilderness, Zach Stepan, shared more on why Blanck is a fit for Wisconsin’s program.

“He’s got a hockey brain, which I know Hastings likes. I also think Hastings will be good for him. As a freshman, he’ll need to go in and learn some things about college hockey, and Hastings is pretty good about getting that dialed in to you pretty quickly. And Talan will be able to use his skillset to help that hockey team.”

The 20-year-old has experience previously playing junior hockey and in the NAHL. However, this past year, he was drafted in the first round of the NAHL Entry Draft, 16th overall. Before playing for the Wilderness, he spent a full season in the League of Opportunity, playing for the Chippewa Steel. The Wisconsin native played 57 games for the Midwest Division team during the 2023-24 season, scoring 15 goals while making 29 assists in his first full season of junior hockey. He registered 44 points in his rookie season. Before making a mark in his debut year, Blanck got a six-game taste of the NAHL during the 2022-23 season, where he secured his first point in junior hockey.

Blanck is one of nine members of the Minnesota Wilderness to make a Division I hockey college commitment.

Click here for an updated NAHL to NCAA commitment list