Blake Thompson, a sophomore defenseman for the Gophers hockey team, is transferring, the school announced.

Thompson, 21, played in five games last season but had not played this season.

"While I'm disappointed in Blake's decision to transfer, I respect his choice and appreciate his contributions to the program over the last two years," coach Don Lucia said.

Everson takes leave of absence from Harvard Harvard confirmed sophomore defenseman Max Everson, a former Edina standout, and sophomore goalie Steve Michalek, a goalie who was drafted by the Wild, were two of four players taking a leave of absence from the hockey team.

In August, Harvard announced it was investigating the possibility of 125 students cheating on a take-home final exam for a government class. The class involved several student-athletes who are taking a year's leave of absence, which is standard discipline in such cases at Harvard.

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