The role of hockey defensemen is supposed to be simple — complement the forwards and keep the opposing team's players from scoring. If they succeed, they can take solace in a job well done. But if the other team runs away with a game, then defensemen can be cast in the spotlight and thrown into the fire for criticism. When it comes to this position, the lack of appreciation comes with the territory.

But when a defenseman can break out of that one-dimensional box and essentially become a fourth forward on the ice, as well as a shutdown defender, then his role isn't quite that simple — or thankless — anymore.

Welcome to the world of the Illini's Brad Hoelzer.

A senior from Batavia, Ill., Hoelzer is one of the few players who can do it all. Characterized by head coach Chad Cassel as "very skilled" and "a great skater who can jump on plays well," Hoelzer has a complete arsenal and has become known for his hard, accurate shot.

"He's got a cannon of shot, so if he gets it to the goalie it's going to pop out and land on either mine or (JJ) Heredia's stick, and we get an easy shot right there," forward Tim Gilbert said of Hoelzer. "I think he's realized how good he can be and how he can take the game into his own hands and really change it for us."

It's no coincidence that Hoelzer's instincts of a forward were ones developed when he was actually a winger for the Illini as a freshman.

However, after notching only four goals and eight assists in 30 games in his rookie campaign and struggling to find a lot of ice time, Hoelzer decided to become a defender the following year, knowing graduation would deplete the defense.

Despite the change, his offensive production has steadily increased the past two years. Hoelzer garnered eight goals and 18 assists in a sophomore campaign that saw the Illini win the ACHA National Championship and had the best statistics of his career to date last season, when he collected 16 goals and 37 assists in just 33 games.

"I played defense a little bit in youth hockey, so it was an easy transition," Hoelzer said. "Every year since I've been able to score more points, and I'm going to try to keep that trend going this year by being more offensive."

In the last couple seasons, the value of a dynamic defenseman is something that has finally snuck out of the Illini locker room for others to fully appreciate as well.

Last year, Hoelzer was one of a select group of players to be elected to the U.S. national team for the World University Games in Harbin, China. This year, he has already moved to the top of the all-time points list for defensemen in Illini history by recording four assists this past Saturday against Indiana. With 102 points and counting, he has a chance of making the record stand for years to come.

"I think he is as good as anybody offensively," Cassel said. "He's worked on being stronger on defense, has begun killing penalties for us. The offense was always easy for him, especially handling the power play, but he's been great on defense as well. I will take six Brad Hoelzers on defense any day."

While the accomplishments and accolades have helped put him in an elite class, it has been Hoelzer's work so far this season that has been a testament to how important he is to the Illini's success.

With all the inconsistent play so far in the season, particularly on the power play unit, Hoelzer has remained one of the stabilizing forces on both sides of the puck.

On one end, he has helped to mold a defensive unit filled with fresh faces into a wall that is hard to crack, as the Illini have only conceded more than three goals once. Hoelzer complements vocal leader Pierce Butler by letting his work on the ice do the talking.

"He's a strong leader, we all look up to him," freshman defenseman Mike Basili said. "He's always a strong force back there to take advice from. He's a lead-by-example guy."

But it's Hoelzer's work on the other end where he does the most damage. With the finishing of scoring chances being the central problem for Illinois thus far, Hoelzer has not only picked up some of the scoring load (he is the team's points co-leader with 11) but has made the jobs of many of the other attackers easier.

"He makes my job so easy, I just stand there in front of the net," forward JJ Heredia said about the power play. "A lot of credit goes to Hoelzer up there to get the shot through."

Between the national championship game appearances, the All-American honors, the international experience and the records, it would be hard to think there's anything left for Hoelzer to accomplish.

Then again, just like with all great players, there is always a need to keep improving and accomplishing more. After all, those achievements don't come easy.

"I would definitely like to end my career here with a national championship, that's the ultimate goal," Hoelzer said. "And I think all of the individual accomplishments will come with that."