BOWLING GREEN — The core of Bowling Green State University’s hockey team is ready for one more go.
Four seniors — captain Alex Barber, alternate captain Evan Dougherty, and forwards Nathan Burke and Taylor Schneider — have all announced their intentions to return to BGSU for their respective fifth years of eligibility in 2022-23.
"We are excited that Alex, Taylor, Nathan, and Evan will be back for another year,” Falcons coach Ty Eigner said. “Their impact both on and off the ice will be very important to our program."
Schneider, Barber, and Burke were first, third, and fourth, respectively, on the team in points in the 2021-22 season. Dougherty missed more than half of the season with a fractured foot.
Burke led BGSU with 16 goals scored as he earned a nomination for the Hobey Baker Award. He was one of five players — along with Schneider — to skate in all 37 games for the Falcons. Burke scored a team-high six power-play goals.
Schneider was the Falcons’ leading point scorer at 30 — eight goals, 22 assists. Barber is the program’s active leader in six statistical categories, including career goals (35), points (85), and power-play goals (18).
Dougherty registered three goals and two assists in 15 games.
Bowling Green finished with a 15-19-3 overall and 11-14-1 Central Collegiate Hockey Association record in the 2021-22 season. The Falcons earned 33 points and finished in sixth in the CCHA standings. The Falcons lost to Bemidji State in a win-or-go-home Game 3 in the Mason Cup Playoffs quarterfinals earlier in March.
“After a disappointing end to our season, I feel there is still a lot more hockey to be played moving forward,” Dougherty said.
First Published March 23, 2022, 9:35 p.m.
