It's a construction project that is equal parts fiction and fun, one that makes your head spin from all the cool possibilities.

Using materials exclusively from the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team, how would you go about building the ideal defenseman?

Mind you, this is not your ordinary gene pool. The Badgers have three defensemen chosen in the first round of the NHL draft (sophomores Ryan McDonagh and Brendan Smith and freshman Jake Gardiner) and two more selected in the second round (junior Jamie McBain and sophomore Cody Goloubef).

For reference, you need one finger to count the NHL clubs that have a greater bounty of blue-line talent on the main roster (Florida).

"Boy, if you could meld those guys together, you'd have a Hall of Famer," UW coach Mike Eaves said.

The Badgers have three undrafted defensemen — sophomore Craig Johnson and freshmen Ryan Little and Eric Springer — who have attributes that contribute to the cause as well.

Heading into a WCHA series against No. 15 Alaska-Anchorage at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Kohl Center, defensemen led the Badgers in scoring (McBain, 16), assists (McBain, 13); plus-minus (Springer, plus-8) and shorthanded goals (McDonagh, one).

Meanwhile, Smith ranks second in points (12) and power-play goals (four) and Gardiner is second in plus-minus (plus-4) and assists (nine).

All told, UW defensemen lead the nation with 12 goals and are second to Air Force in points per game with 3.31.

The eight Badgers defensemen have different individual strengths, but the ones that jump out at you involve the five NHL draftees.

Gardiner, selected 17th overall by Anaheim last summer, is a spectacular, creative skater with evolving offensive skills.
Goloubef, taken 37th overall by Columbus last summer, has a strong all-around game and, some would argue, the best slap shot of the group.

McBain, chosen 63rd overall by Carolina in 2006, is known for his poise with the puck and repertoire of elusive moves.

McDonagh, selected 12th overall by Montreal in 2007, is regarded for his remarkable strength, maneuverability and defensive presence.

Smith, taken 27th overall by Detroit in 2007, has high-end offensive instincts, an edgy attitude, a booming shot and a fluid skating stride.

Ask the eight for the feature they'd most like to add to their games and the focus falls on two camps.

Johnson, Little, McDonagh and Smith admire the way McBain, an assistant captain, carries himself on the ice.

"Every time he gets the puck on his stick he knows what he's going to do; it's right off his stick," Johnson said.

The other half of the UW defensive corps — Goloubef, Springer, McBain and Gardiner — are enamored with McDonagh, also an assistant captain.

"For a big guy, he can really go," Goloubef said of the 6-foot-1, 212-pounder.

The Badgers have mirrored the play of their defensemen so far this season. The unit was minus-19 during an 0-6-1 start, plus-12 during the current 7-1-1 stretch.

UW assistant coaches Mark Osiecki and Kevin Patrick are former major-college defensemen and highly regarded teachers. Osiecki has the added cache of having played six seasons in the NHL.

"You can have as many coaches out there as you want, but just look around," Springer said. "Even if Oz isn't talking to you, just look at what McDonagh's doing or what McBain's doing. It's a great tool, a great asset to have."