All of the captains for the University of North Dakota men's hockey team have been suspended for the season opener in connection with a team party Saturday, athletic officials announced Tuesday, while suggesting there could be be legal consequences yet to come.
Suspended are captain Andrew MacWilliam and assistant captains Corban Knight, Danny Kristo and Carter Rowney for a violation of team rules, said Athletics Director Brian Faison. All are seniors.
While no athletic officials would detail the precise behavior connected to the party, additional disciplinary measures taken by the school includes weekly "team alcohol education programming."
"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."
Additional discipline includes putting the team as a whole on probation, meaning that "any further violations by a team member could result in immediate reduction of scholarship, suspension from competition, or expulsion from the program," the athletic department said.
A mandatory team community service program is also being instituted.
The suspended players will sit out the Oct. 19 game against Alaska Anchorage at the Brice Alaska Goal Rush in Fairbanks. Kristo, Knight and Rowney are the top three in points returning from last year.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
