Badgers Land Penticton Vees Power Forward Jedd Soleway

Looks like Mike Eaves and the Wisconsin coaching staff have finally tapped back into the market of Canadian born hockey players. With just three Canadians on the current roster, and none committed for future seasons, many were wondering where that Western Canadian pipeline had gone.

That changed recently when BCHL power-forward Jedd Soleway gave his verbal commitment to play for Wisconsin for the 2014 season. Soleway, a center from the Penticton Vees visited Madison last week for the Alabama-Huntsville series and gave his pledge to coach Eaves.

Phenomenal time at the University of Wisconsin. Excited to be committed, and be a badger for upcoming years!

— Jedd Soleway (@Soleway) December 14, 2012

At 6'2, 208 pounds, Soleway brings serious size and an edge to his game. A native of Vernon, British Columbia, Soleway played in the Okanagan Rockets system before joining his hometown Vernon Vipers in the BCHL. Soleway was recently traded from Vernon to Penticton.

Soleway recorded 25 points (13G, 12A) in 58 games as a 17 year-old for the Vernon Vipers last season. This year, Soleway put up 17 points (5G, 12A) in 26 games for Vernon before he was traded to Penticton. With the Vees, Soleway is off to a fast start with two goals and three assists in his first four games.

Current teammate and North Dakota commit Wade Murphy has only played with Soleway a few games, but told the Penticton Western News that he likes what he sees so far.

"He played unreal," said Murphy, who skated on a line with Soleway and Minnesota commit Louie Nanne. "I'm real excited to play with him. He goes hard to the net."

"He's just big," Murphy went on to add. "He is powerful and has a great shot. He has hockey smarts."

In that same article from the Penticton Western News, Gopher commit Louie Nanne had some positive things to say about the future Badger.

"He's a real hard worker," said Nanne. "He helps on ice and in practice. He is pushing guys to next level."

Monday I was able to reach out to the voice of the Vees, Fraser Rodgers who was kind enough to give us a glimpse into the player that is Jedd Soleway.

"I would describe him as the classic "big-body" presence that uses his size and strength effectively. He's playing at center on the Vees top-line right now and creates a lot of space and time for his skilled wingers in Wade Murphy (NoDAK '13) and Louie Nanne (Minnesota '13). Soleway uses his size to draw defenders to him when he drives the net, creating ample space for his line-mates.

He isn't shy about going into the "dirty areas" and causes a lot of problems for the opposition's goalie and defenders. He has seen time on the power-play as well being the net-front forward. Some might question his foot-speed at this point, including himself, but it hasn't been an issue with the Vees, a team that plays an up-tempo brand of hockey.

Yes, Soleway will have to work on his foot-speed but that's only natural for a player of his size. He already has that "pro body" scouts like to talk about and I see him being a very-good two-way forward in Madison. A guy who could play on an energy-line and work his way up the line-up. Soleway I feel would be a good fit on a line with a skilled play-maker like a Morgan Zulinick.

Something that might be overlooked in his game is his presence and ability in the circles. Soleway is a very good face-off guy and uses his size to win his fair share of draws.

I don't think he's going to come into Wisconsin be the offensive guy by any means but will be a very valuable piece to the puzzle. He can be "the bull in the china shop" type player that will contribute some healthy offensive numbers.

Lots of potential with this kid."

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