Three USM men’s hockey players will begin next season suspended after a run-in with the law.
Four USM men’s hockey players were charged with furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol at their apartment in Westbrook.
On Saturday March 13, Westbrook police responded to a complaint of a loud party at approximately 11:30 p.m. They found a large amount of alcohol and several guests under the age of 21 in possession of alcohol.
Police issued summons to assistant captain Jonathan Rutt, 22, Scarborough; Stephen Wiedler, 23, Farmingdale, N.Y.; Brett Kapteina, 25, Stamford, Conn.; and Daniel Rautenberg, 22, Cape Elizabeth for furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol. Rautenberg was also charged with sale and use of drug paraphernalia.
Captain Tom Roth said police found drug paraphernalia and Rautenberg took responsibility for it.
“They will definitely be disciplined. We have a code of conduct and they clearly violated it,” said athletic director Al Bean. “All of them will be suspended.”
Bean said he will determine the length of the suspension in the coming few weeks. The season has ended so the suspensions will take effect next season. Kapteina has used up his elgibility, so he won’t be able to play hockey next year anyways.
Bean said the severity of the penalty depends on any past disciplinary issues and if the students cooperated with the police. He said he has already contacted the four players and still has to go over the police report before deciding what penalty the players will face.
Capt. Roth said all the players were cooperative with the police on Saturday night.
Police also issued summons to Katelyn Laubi, 18, Bridgewater, Mass.; Amanda Methot, 20, Biddeford; Taryn Arrighi, 18, Bridgewater, Mass. and Clara Stevens, 20, Eldred, N.Y. for possession of alcohol by a minor.