Things have gone from bad to worse for the St. Cloud State hockey program. Rumors of improper conduct while the Huskies were in Florida this past week for the Florida College Classic started to swirl Tuesday afternoon.The first shoe dropped when senior defenseman Chris Hepp (pictured), an alternate captain who has played in all 20 games for the Huskies this season signed a contract with the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.
88.1 FM KVSC in St. Cloud reported this afternoon that Hepp's locker had been cleared out and also that senior Tony Mosey, another player believed to be involved in the incident in Florida did not practice the past two days.
A third member believed to be involved is sophomore forward David Eddy. It looks as if Eddy, who missed the entire first semester due to being academically ineligible will only be suspended. KVSC reported this afternoon that Eddy was at practice wearing a green jersey. At St. Cloud, green jerseys are reserved for "extra players."
A fourth player, freshman forward Bryce Johnson has also left the program to go back to the USHL although he is not believed to be involved in the incident in Florida. Johnson has only played in 3 games this season for the Huskies.
None of the three players facing punishment from St. Cloud have squeaky clean backgrounds. Like already mentioned, Eddy was ineligible all first semester due to academics. Mosey was suspended the first two games of the season after an incident this fall where he was arrested for felony damage to property when he caused $3,500 worth of damage when he walked on a vehicle and caved in the roof. A look into Hepp's criminal record shows he was cited in September for possession of Marijuana. He was convicted of petty misdemeanor for marijuana possession and paid a $135 fine according to the Minnesota trial court public access data base.
So what we know is the following: Bryce Johnson has left the program to go back to the USHL. Chris Hepp, Tony Mosey, and David Eddy were involved in an incident in Florida. Chris Hepp left the program to sign an ECHL contract. Tony Mosey looks like he may also be on his way out of St. Cloud and David Eddy is most likely suspended for a series or two.
The departures of Johnson, Hepp, and most likely Mosey bring the WCHA mid-season departure number up to 5. Within the past week UMD defenseman Dylan Olsen failed out of school and immediately signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. Also Denver defenseman William Wrenn left the Pioneers to play in the Western Hockey League.
UPDATE Wednesday: KVSC is reporting that Mosey has been dismissed from the SCSU hockey team for violation of team rules. Still no official word on what the punishment is for David Eddy.
chuckschwartz@live.com
Follow me on Twitter
Posts
