UM hockey players draw suspensions 2 charged in alleged beating

ORONO – Two University of Maine men’s hockey players have been suspended from game activities for an indefinite period of time after they were charged with assault and aggravated criminal mischief.

Junior Michael Hamilton and sophomore Wesley Clark, both 22-year-old forwards, allegedly beat another student in his Orono apartment Sunday night. The pair were charged after an apparent fight resulting from a dispute over Hamilton’s ex-girlfriend. The victim received stitches over his left eye.

The suspensions were handed out due to violations of UMaine’s Student-Athlete Code of Conduct, according to a statement issued by athletic director Blake James.

Hamilton, of Victoria, British Columbia, and Clark, of Oakville, Ontario, are scheduled to appear Dec. 23 in Bangor District Court.

James said the players are suspended, effective immediately, and that school officials will meet with head coach Tim Whitehead today to determine the exact scope of the suspensions.

As far as the undetermined length of the suspensions, James said those would be addressed in the future.

“Right now, there are legal proceedings ongoing, and once those proceedings have been resolved, we’ll evaluate where we’re at and address the issues at that time,” said James.

Hamilton had seen action in nine games before being sidelined with a knee injury 10 days ago. He accumulated three assists, nine penalties, and 22 shots.

Clark broke his leg during the offseason and has been in rehabilitation since then.

Messages left on Whitehead’s home and work phones seeking comment were not returned.