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Solway returns to BGSU hockey team |
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Written by By KEVIN GORDON Sentinel Assistant Sports Editor
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Friday, 01 May 2009 |
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Bowling Green has added one of the best two-way forwards in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association to its roster.
David Solway is returning to the Falcons, the sophomore center confirmed Friday.
He announced in early April he was leaving the team because of the uncertainty over the program.
The program has been targeted for possible elimination by the university, which is facing a deficit of $6-$10 million in its next budget. The athletics department also is attempting to cut $500,000-$1 million from its $16 million budget for next year.
A decision is expected by the end of June.
But Solway, who had 12 goals and 12 assists in 38 games this season to go along with solid defensive play and penalty-killing, is returning for what he said were “personal reasons.” He declined to be specific.
Although Solway announced his plans to leave, he remained in school and has a 3.62 grade-point average with a major in business/finance. The spring semester ends next week.
“When it came down to crunch time the last couple weeks, it became really hard to leave,” Solway said. “I felt in my heart this is where I wanted to be. I realized how good I had it here.”
The native of Green Bay, Wis. was rumored to be transferring to a Western Collegiate Hockey Association school. Among the rumored schools were Wisconsin, Colorado College and Minnesota-Duluth.
BG coach Scott Paluch wouldn’t allow Solway to transfer to another CCHA school. He informed Paluch of his decision to return Wednesday and told his teammates after that.
“Everyone’s been very understanding and I really appreciate that,” Solway said.
The 5-foot-10, 160-pounder has been an excellent skater, defensive player and penalty-killer throughout his career. But his offensive skills have blossomed at BG where he also had nine goals and six assists in 37 games as a freshman.
This season, he joined classmate Dan Sexton and senior Brandon Svendsen on one of the CCHA’s best lines. Sexton has since signed with the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks.
“It’s such a unique set of circumstances,” Paluch said. “He’s a big part of our team and we’re just really glad he made the decision to play here.”
When asked if Solway’s return was an indication, the university wasn’t going to cut the program, Paluch said: “We haven’t received a definite answer, but there are a lot of positive events happening and this is another positive happening.”
Solway was one of three Falcons who decided to leave the program in early April, the others being freshman defenseman Nick Bailen and sophomore forward Patrick Tiesling.
Bailen was one of BG’s best blueliners, while Tiesling provided a physical presence and solid defense, and was a member of the penalty-killing unit.
When asked if Bailen and Tiesling would return now that Solway is coming back, Paluch said he had “no indication of that.”
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 19 May 2009 )
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