When local mite hockey teams take the ice during intermission at games across the country, it doesn’t take long before something becomes obvious to all those in the stands.

There is only one thing every kid floundering around the ice sheet wants to do.

They all want to score.

“When you’re younger, a lot of guys always want the puck, you know, you got your ‘puck hogs’ out there,” Wisconsin freshman defenseman Frankie Simonelli said.

No passing, hardly any interest in defending. Each kid wants to have the puck and they all want to be the one to make the crowd stand and cheer. As a result, spectators watch about 20 mites on ice scramble for the puck in one giant mass, hoping to get a shot on net.

“That’s exactly the mindset of young kids,” sophomore defenseman Justin Schultz said. “They want to score goals – it’s the most fun part of the game.”

Goal scoring. The reason few kids, if any, have a desire to play that other position: Defense.

Before he grew into one of college hockey’s best defensemen, Schultz (a second round draft pick of the Anaheim Ducks) was a young hockey player who shared that mindset.

He loved scoring and he loved having the puck on his stick. So when he was advised to switch to defense, it was a bit of an unwelcome surprise.

But Schultz decided it was worth a shot.

“At first I figured I would give it a try and I didn’t really know what to expect,” Schultz explained. “But I got back there and I loved it. I felt like I got the puck a lot more and I could play with it a lot more. It just felt like I had more control over the game.”

“I’m definitely happy I made that switch.”

Schultz became a defenseman, but the goal scoring hasn’t stopped. The sophomore leads Wisconsin with 39 points in 30 games played this season and is the nation’s highest-scoring defenseman. He is tied for the team-lead in goals with 15. As a true freshman last year, he quarterbacked the Badger power play and he’s continued to flourish in that role in year two.

But Schultz isn’t the only former forward who made the transformation to prolific Badger defenseman.

His partner, junior assistant captain Jake Gardiner, went through a similar adjustment in high school. He too was told defense made more sense.

“I was definitely hesitant but I was also excited,” Gardiner said of the position switch. “I realized there was a brighter future for me there and obviously now that’s the case.”

Another defenseman, another point-producer.

Gardiner (a first round draft pick of Anaheim, who was traded to Toronto yesterday) has scored seven times this season, with 30 points to his name – good for fourth-best on the team.

Schultz and Gardiner brought their skating ability and offensive instincts to the blue line, and as a result the Badgers’ top defensive pair encompasses two of the team’s top offensive threats. Their history at forward proved to make them more dangerous defensemen.

So who said playing defense wasn’t fun? Better yet, who said defensemen didn’t score goals?

“[Kids] think forwards are the only ones who score goals, but when you get older you start to realize that defensemen play a big role in the team’s offense,” Schultz said.

Do they ever.

According to UW head coach Mike Eaves, defensemen started to see an increased role offensively when Boston Bruins legend Bobby Orr burst onto the NHL scene.

“He revolutionized the game. Ever since Bobby came into the league, he brought a new way to play to have the defensemen carry the puck, and it’s become even more apparent now because everyone wants to find that second wave of attack,” Eaves said. “Teams want defensemen more involved in the offensive zone.”

The Badgers have been one of those teams showcasing offensive-minded defensemen. From Tom Gilbert, to Jamie McBain, to Brendan Smith, to Schultz and Gardiner, UW has had a proud history of skilled D-men, and it’s been a point of emphasis for Eaves ever since he took over.

“We have done a good job identifying people who can come here and be that type of player for us,” Eaves said. “We have had a nice run.”

Despite all the points and production, Schultz and Gardiner know they have to respect the responsibilities that come along with being a defenseman. The offensive instincts have to be tempered every once in a while.

“Everyone has to be stable defensively first,” Gardiner said. “But puck-moving defenseman is a term you hear a lot now. Offense is a big part of the game and that’s what teams are looking for.”

UW’s top pair possess rare skills that are valuable on both ends. Vision, passing ability and speed are often traits attached to forwards, but they also combine to make for complete defensemen who can work the puck out of their own zone to clear danger.

“You need defensemen who can skate and be mobile back there or else the other teams’ forwards are just going to burn you,” Schultz said.

“But D-men need to be able to jump into the play and create offense as well.”

Sure they do, because as defensive roles continue to evolve, Schultz and Gardiner will be the first to tell you one thing.

Scoring goals never gets old.