Men’s hockey sanctioned following hazing incident

Four members of the UVM men’s hockey team, including both of the team’s co-captains, have been suspended for five games due to their role in a hazing incident.

On Sept. 24, first-year hockey team members were forced to partake in an initiation activity by upperclassmen at the residence of a few team members.

The initiation involved “first-year team members drinking beer and liquor, and they were expected to be dressed in their boxer shorts while they consumed the alcoholic beverages,” according to a press release issued by the athletic department.

In addition, the first-year team members were asked to participate in activities which included eating a piece of bread soaked in tequila and playing beer pong, according to the UVM Police summary of the investigation.

No criminal or civil charges were filed, but the hazing breaks rules set by the athletic department.

The players suspended were senior co-captains forwards Brendan Bradley and Mario Puskarich, senior assistant captain defender Chris Muscoby and junior assistant captain forward Anthony Petruzzelli, according to WCAX.

Their suspensions will begin with UVM’s game against Clarkson University Oct. 7.

The official police summary of the investigation stated that 15 to 30 players from the UVM hockey team were present at the event, and that nobody involved in the hazing received medical attention from the University of Vermont Medical Center.

The team must now take part in additional hazing education, perform 15 hours of community service, and have been placed on probation for one year.

Any other incidents will lead to additional discipline and the possibility of game forfeitures, according to the press release.