Dec. 21, 2011

The official Gameday Program at each Badgers home series includes player profiles. This feature is just one of the exclusive items available inside the program, which is available for purchase on game day at Kohl Center or online at NationalWClub.com. Today we look at junior defenseman Justin Schultz, who was featured in the program for the North Dakota series. | Purchase Gameday Programs

BY MARK BENNETT

MADISON, Wis. -- In 2010-11, not only did junior defenseman Justin Schultz lead all blue liners across the country in scoring with 47 points, but his 18 goals were the most for any national defenseman since the 2002-03 season. As the team's top scorer, he led the nation with 27 power-play points. The high rate of scoring continues this season as Schultz leads the nation's defensemen with nine goals and 28 points through 18 games, and ranks among the top three players in all of college hockey. 

Last season, Schultz notched just the sixth hat trick for a Wisconsin defenseman in team history (and the first since 1991-92), never went more than two games without scoring a point and was named the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year.

Statistically speaking, Schultz assembled one of the best campaigns a Badger defenseman has ever had.

And that's considering the likes of Chris Chelios, Bob and Gary Suter, Craig Norwich, Sean Hill, Bruce Driver, Brain Rafalski, Jeff Dessner and Jamie McBain.

"That's unbelievable," Schultz said. "Those are some real good players there. Just to be mentioned in the same sentence as those guys, it's an honor. And hopefully I can have another good year and stay up there with those guys."

Overall, 17 Badger defensemen have been named first or second-team All-Americans.

Schultz happens to be one of those, earning a first-team nod for his performance last season.

The West Kelowna, British Columbia native was also named a top-10 Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist, but don't expect him to talk too much about what he's done in the past.

"I think I just kind of shove it to the background," Schultz said. "I don't really think about it too much."

What he is focused on, is getting the Badgers back on track and improving upon a season last year that ended much earlier than the team would have liked.

"When you end the season that early, you always have the extra motivation to never have that feeling again," Schultz said. "We all felt pretty bad in the dressing room after that game and we want to make sure that never happens again."

And it's that motivation that convinced Schultz to return to Wisconsin and that he still had more to improve on personally and accomplish as a team.

"A little unfinished business," Schultz said. "I needed to put on some more weight, get a little stronger and fine tune my game a little more. I don't think having another year is going to hurt me."

At the top of that list of unfinished business?

"Winning a national championship," Schultz said. "It's on the top of the list for sure. We got so close my first year and didn't get it, so that's definitely what I want to do."

As assistant captain this season, Schultz is responsible for guiding a young team featuring nine freshmen and 11 sophomores. It's a collection of players he said has a lot of talent and has been quick to adapt though.

Schultz understands however what happens off the ice is often more important than his leadership on the ice.

"I know a lot of people think I'm a quiet guy, which I am," Schultz said. "But I think I do some little things that hopefully get some guys attention and just better the team.

"It starts off the ice. You have to make sure you're ready to play."

Not only has Schultz had the prestige of great defensemen before him to motivate his play, but many former Badger teammates have also proved invaluable to his learning and development. He credits both his coaches and defensemen like Jake Gardiner, Brendan Smith, Ryan McDonagh and Cory Goloubef for the player he is now.

Part of who he is now includes not just a superb defensive player, but as the statistics show, one of the country's best offensively as well.

"It's always been my game--to be an offensive defenseman," Schultz said. "I'm never going to change that. I'm going to continue to work on that as well as my overall game and hopefully everything improves."

A big portion of that offensive production comes from Schultz's role as a leader on the power play.

"I love that," Schultz said. "I will do that every time. I love going on the power play--being the quarterback, just controlling the game. I have fun with it."

And that's about the most excitement you'll ever hear from Schultz about himself, not that he still isn't proud of his game and what he has already accomplished though.

"Definitely, it's an accomplishment and no one can take it away from me," Schultz said. "But I would trade all of those things for more wins any day."