Becker Wenkus is another Minnesota-native cut from the cloth of the more-so modern-day defender, and with some physical growth over the course of the year, has become a more filled out blueliner capable of shutting down plays via physical efforts. He doesn’t always deploy the flashiest of maneuvers, but often relies on some good athletic ability, and a game driven by strong skating in all directions. When the puck is on his stick, he can be trusted to navigate the ice and distribute it quickly and accurately, along with slow things down, and remain calm in the face of pressure if needed. There is certainly talent there to make flashy 1-on-1 moves, pull pucks around opponents, and contribute offensively off the rush, but often Wenkus tends to leave that for others to do, but if necessary, and when the opportunity arises, he is capable of pulling you out of your seat with some strong skill. Walking the blueline and quarterbacking the offensive cycle he works well with teammates, will take the occasional stroll with the puck down the half-wall, and fires pucks on net here-and-there to generate some offensive chances. But once again, the simplistic nature of his game often has him outwaiting, and seeking out the ideal play, rather than attempting a move that may result in a needless turnover. I think with Wenkus there’s a lot to like, the physical maturity he’s gained has made him a stronger defender along the boards, being more smothering and harder to play against, and the consistent decision making is another asset that makes him reliable. For him to stay in the upper ranks of the class amongst other blueliners, development of his skill and offensive ability will have to keep up to continue to fulfill the role of a strong puck-moving defender.