Three members of the Ohio State men’s ice hockey squad have decided to leave the team, with the possibility of one more to follow, for reasons such as lack of playing time, academics and opportunities to play at other levels.Chris Newman (So. Goalie/Oregon, Ohio), Nic Boileau (So. Wing/Marquette, Mich.), and Jeff Marshall (Jr. Defenseman/New Market, Ontario) have each decided to transfer or leave the team and Benji Wolke (Sr. Wing/St. Cloud, Minn.) is contemplating transferring, all mainly due to lack of playing time, according to OSU men’s ice hockey coach John Markell. Though Markell could not comment on each player specifically, he said some of these players are looking for more playing time and may possibly be eager to start playing professionally. Marshall is said to be transferring to a Division lll school. The plans of the other players are not yet known.”This kind of situation is nothing teams don’t go through all the time,” Markell said. “For any sport at this level you’re going to find players that are unhappy with their playing time. My job as coach is to play the people who I think give us the best chance to win.”Yan Des Gagne (Jr. Wing/St. Therese, Quebec) remains a part of the team despite rumors that he was considering atransfer due to lack of playing time. Markell has said Des Gagne just needed some time off to think about things and to weigh his options, but right now is still a member of the team. The Lantern also learned last week about a rumor regarding the stripping of Boileau’s scholarship. Markell responded that was totally untrue.”I can not and would not ever just take a player’s scholarship away to give to another player,” Markell said. “The NCAA and Big Ten have certain rules regarding scholarships that prohibit that.”In addition to players leaving, the team will also have to deal with absence of Rob Gubala (Sr. Wing/Lemont Ill.), who is academically ineligible for the upcoming fall quarter. Gubala was also academically ineligible in fall quarter 1999. Coach Markell has dealt with situations like this before. There are roughly 24 players on the team, 18 of whom are on scholarship and only 20 who are allowed to dress each game. Markell has about six walk-on players each year competing for spots on the ice. He said there is stiff competition to play every year.”We welcome walk-ons every year,” Markell said. “We’re always looking for diamonds in the rough. And sometimes there are situations where we may play a walk-on over a scholarship player. That can be tough decision sometimes, but I have to do what is best for this team.”Markell understands the decisions made by his players and holds no grudges. He said these individuals are only doing what they think is best for themselves and he respects that.”I wish these guys the best,” Markell said. “The will to play can sometimes force you to make choices like this.” “These guys are great athletes, they love the game, they love to compete, and they all just want a chance to play.” “This is a great game and I hope that they make it.”The Buckeyes made it to the Frozen Four, college hockey’s version of the NCAA basketball Final Four, in 1998, and again made the playoffs in 1999, before struggling to an 11th place finish (13-19-4) in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association in 2000.