Thirteen players on the Maple Grove boys' hockey team have been suspended for at least two games stemming from an off-ice episode, coach Gary Stefano said Wednesday.
Details of the incident were not disclosed. Stefano said "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. "You hope something like this is a learning experience."
Maple Grove (8-7, 7-2 Northwest Suburban Conference) has won its past six games.
DAVID LA VAQUE
Lynx executive diesConrad Smith, the chief operating officer of the WNBA's Lynx since November 2008, died on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer.
He worked as the Wolves' vice president of corporate sales before leading the Lynx and also worked earlier for the North Stars, Twins and Minnesota Strikers soccer team.
Kessel honoredGophers junior forward Amanda Kessel is the WCHA's co-offensive player of the week. She had six goals and four assists as Minnesota swept North Dakota in two 6-3 games. Kessel leads the nation with 31 goals and 64 points.
Minnesota Duluth junior forward Jamie Kenyon is the other co-offensive player of the week.
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