I like the bio on Ben Brinkman
He's playing in the NCAA this year as a 2000 birthday, he sounds toolsy with quality skating
I like defensive prospects like that in the mid to late 20's
Was always one of the top players in the Twin Cities. Has all the physical tools. The only things that need to be determined is if he has the intangibles, i.e. hockey IQ and hunger to be great. I don't think he is a " dumb" hockey player, but rather, he was so much more talented than the others that he played against that he got bad habits, i.e. Holding on to the puck too long, or taking risks on defense because he knew he could get back and recover, in most cases. He will need to change in the NCAA.
I had to laugh at one " talent evaluator" around HFB, who described him as " lacking strength" . Brinkman is the strongest guy to come out of here since Anders Lee. Not super tall, but thick. Suter like. Is listed on the Gophers website at 225 lbs. which is crazy....definitely well over 200, though. Still only 17, I think. A recent article said that Brinkman was "down" to 214 lbs.
Obviously, 2018-19 needs to play out. Injuries can and do happen, as well as players just not panning out, or alternately catching fire for all the world to see.