Prospect Patrick Holway leaves University of Maine’s hockey program

Less than a week before the University of Maine’s season opener, defensemen Patrick Holway unexpectedly has departed from the hockey program to deal with a “personal matter”.

Holway was the Red Wings 6th round pick back in 2015. He was set to head into his junior year after two strong seasons with the Black Bears. Last season he posted 6 goals and 13 assists for 19 points in 33 games and was a key cog in the club’s special teams.

There is currently no telling what the circumstances of his personal matter pertains to other than this statement from Holway:

“I need to get back closer to home. It’s a personal matter and that’s all I can say about it,” said Holway. “We’ll see how things work out. It wasn’t an easy decision.”

This leaves his future very uncertain, and depending on how long his absence from the ice is, his chances of Detroit signing him are vanishing. The Red Wings have until August 15th, 2020 to sign him or they’ll lose his rights. Obviously, he must put family first, but his hockey career may be taking a hit.