Tommy Dee had run out of options in the spring of 2006.
His hopes of playing NCAA Division I hockey had ended and he was prepared to play at the Division III
level in Minnesota, his home state.
And then Bowling Green offered him a chance.
The hard-working forward has emerged as one of BG’s most reliable defensive players during the last
three-plus seasons.
The 5-foot-11, 189-pounder also has improved his offensive skills, scoring seven goals last season. This
season, the senior also has received a chance to skate on one of BG’s top two forward lines and on the
power play.
His solid all-around play, leadership on and off the ice, and his 3.5 grade-point average make him a
valuable member of the team.
"He’s absolutely terrific," BG coach Dennis Williams said. "He’ll do whatever it takes to
win, even if it means going through a wall or pumping up guys on the bench. He’s the ultimate definition
of what it takes to be a team guy."
Hard work and all-around play, like that shown by Dee, is a must for the Falcons if they’re to rebound
from last weekend’s disappointing 7-2 exhibition loss to the U.S Under-18 Team.
BG, 0-2 overall, hosts Providence (2-1) Friday and Saturday nights In the Ice Arena at 7:05.
Dee was offered a chance to play as a walkon at BG by former assistant coach Ron Fogarty. And the native
of Maple Grove, Minn. in suburban Minneapolis has earned an academic scholarship at BG.
"I just kept hanging in there for a chance to play D-I and everything’s worked out great for me
here," said Dee, who is a biology pre-med major.

He plans on being a doctor in a yet-to-be determined field. He’ll graduate in the spring and attend
graduate school net fall.
Dee was a play-maker in junior hockey, totaling 15 goals and 53 assists in 58 games for the Bismarck
Bobcats during the 2005-06 season in the North American (Junior) Hockey League.
He also played on the power-play and penalty-killing units, but his game is more suited to a defensive
role in college.
Although he has good quickness and plays a physical style, the Falcons used Dee on a line that was
matched against the opponent’s best offensive players last season. He’s also an effective penalty-killer
and shot blocker.
"As you go from different leagues and go up the ladder, your role changes and you have to accept
that or you won’t play," Dee said. "Not everyone can be a scorer in college.
"You have to make that adjustment and accept the challenges thrown at you and give it your best. If
you do that, you’re usually going to come out on the better end of it."
Even though Dee has been responsible defensively throughout his career, he’s earned a chance to
contribute even more offensively with the Falcons this season because he’s willing to play in front of
the net.
Most of his goals are going to come on rebounds, loose-puck situations around the net and deflection. One
of his jobs on the power play is to screen the opposing goalie.
He had just five goals and five assists in 58 games during his first two seasons at BG. Despite not
scoring as many goals in college, he still makes smart plays and remains a good play-maker.
"Being a senior, and being a leader and someone to look to, I’m going to accept the challenge and
give it everything I’ve got," Dee said. "I’m going to whatever I can to help the team and give
it my best.
"I’ve just tried to step up my play, step out of my comfort zone a little bit and take on different
roles and different challenges. But I’m also going to make sure that my defense and the other parts of
my game."