MITCHELL, S.D. – The Mitchell Skating and Hockey Association has announced punitive action regarding an altercation last Friday between two players in the team locker room that sent one player to the hospital and landed a second one in custody facing possible charges. The action follows a three-hour meeting Wednesday night. In an e-mail to MSHA members, president Brian Nash announced one player has been suspended for the season and a second player suspended four games. Both are juveniles. In addition Coach Josh Engquist is suspended for 8 games under numerous conditions including no contact with players. He was also terminated as coaching director. Coaches Jamie Grosdidier and Tate Sutherland are both suspended for 4 games with no contact at games though they may attend practices. There’s no suspension for Coach Stacy Murtha. 3 of the 4 team captains have had their “letter” removed, with the players to vote for captains at a later date. The Team will forfeit its tournament appearance in Hudson, Wisconsin. Players who were in the locker room with cell phones at the time of the incident are suspended for 2 games with the opportunity to self-report and reduce to 1 game suspension, plus community service to be determined at a later date by the board. The board has also instituted an automatic 1 game suspension if a player is caught using a cell phone or recording device in the locker room at all levels.
(Thanks JP Skelly KORN in Mitchell for Story)
