GRAND FORKS, ND - The University of North Dakota (UND) hockey team will start the season shorthanded, after four of its stars were suspended following what is described as a team party.
Team captains Andrew MacWilliam, Corban Knight, Danny Kristo and Carter Rowney will miss the season opener against Alaska-Fairbanks for a violation of team rules.
University of North Dakota Athletics Director Brian Faison tells KVLY that the suspensions are a result of a team party on Saturday September 15.
In anouncing the one-game suspensions Faison also announced several additional team disciplinary measures, including a team probation under which any further violations by a team member could result in immediate reduction of scholarship, suspension from competition, or expulsion from the program.
Neither Faison or Head Coach Dave Hakstol would comment about what happened at the party, but said discipline from the athletics department does not mean there won't be additional actions by the University or local and state authorities.
Below is a press release issued by the UND Athletic Department.
University of North Dakota Director of Athletics Brian Faison announced today that men's hockey senior captain Andrew MacWilliam and assistant captains Corban Knight, Danny Kristo and Carter Rowney have been suspended for the opening game of the 2012-13 regular season for a violation of team rules.
The suspensions are a result of a team party on Saturday, Sept. 15.
"The behavior in this situation was unacceptable," Faison said. "Measures taken by the athletics department do not preclude possible additional measures by the department, or actions by the University or local and state authorities."
"Recent actions by our team are not a good representation of our place as role models within our community," said UND head men's hockey coach Dave Hakstol. "We have young men of high character in our locker room, but our players, and in particular our leaders, must be accountable for their actions."
In addition to the suspension of the team captains, Faison also announced several additional team disciplinary measures including, but not limited to:
- Athletics Department-issued team probation under which any further violations by a team member could result in immediate reduction of scholarship, suspension from competition, or expulsion from the program.
- The implementation of a mandatory team community service program
- Weekly team alcohol education programming
UND opens the season on Friday, Oct. 19, against Alaska Anchorage at the Brice Alaska Goal Rush in Fairbanks.
Neither Faison nor Hakstol will provide further comment.
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