Thirteen players on the Maple Grove boys' hockey team have been suspended for at least two games stemming from an off-campus incident.
Barbara Olson, District 279 Community Relations Director, said the incident took place "at a private home in mid-December" and was reported to the district Monday.
Details of the incident were not disclosed but Olson said, "A thorough investigation showed violations of the Minnesota State High School League code of conduct took place and the consequences were applied according to Minnesota State High School League guidelines."
Head coach Gary Stefano said Wednesday "a couple'' of players face four-game suspensions and the rest will miss two games.
The suspensions begin with Thursday's game at Blaine.
The number of suspensions represents more than half of the team's published varsity roster
"As a high school coach, it hurts but at the same time kids make mistakes,'' Stefano said Wednesday. "You hope something like this is a learning experience.''
Maple Grove, with a 7-2 record in the Northwest Suburban Conference, has won its last six games. The team has a 9-7 overall record.
