The University of North Dakota mens' hockey team is going to be something short of full strength when it opens its 2012-13 season Oct. 19 against Alaska Anchorage in Fairbanks.

Four prominent members of the team -- captain Andrew MacWilliam and assistant captains Corban Knight, Danny Kristo and Carter Rowney -- have been suspended for the game after violating team rules in connection with a party last weekend.

Details of the violation were not disclosed by athletic department officials, but disciplinary measures imposed included "weekly team alcohol education programming."