MONCTON, New Brunswick – The University of Moncton reinstated its hockey program Thursday after its league reduced the suspensions of five players involved in the attack on a referee.

Ken Dryden, the former NHL goalie investigating the incident for the Atlantic Universities Athletic Association, advised school president Jean-Bernard Robichaud, who originally suspended the program for a year, to field a team next season.

Last Monday, the AUAA reduced the suspension after a hearing involving the Feb. 24 attack of referee Brian Carragher in Charlottetown. The players can reduce the penalties even more if they agree to perform up to 400 hours of community service.