Boston University Hockey Player Reportedly Suspended Rest of Year for Gambling
Photo via AP
Nick Roberto, a junior forward on Boston University’s men’s ice hockey team, will not return to action this season due to a team-imposed suspension for gambling, College Hockey News learned Monday. Roberto had sat out through the first 18 games of the 2015-16 season.
The 21-year-old third-liner from Wakefield, Massachusetts notched four goals and eight assists in 41 games for the Terriers last year.
“Beyond confirming that Mr. Roberto will not play for the Boston University hockey team this season, federal privacy laws prevent us from discussing his status,” BU told CHN in a statement.
The Globe reports that Roberto and several other BU players had bet on sports contests, though the other players had left the program prior to school officials learning of any wrongdoing. Roberto is not being investigated by law enforcement and remains a BU student, according to WEEI’s Scott McLaughlin.
The NCAA prohibits student athletes from engaging in any sort of gambling, from fantasy sports leagues to March Madness brackets.
“Although the rumors did not involve gambling on either college or professional hockey games, we nonetheless immediately conducted a thorough investigation and turned the results over to the appropriate authorities at the NCAA,” BU’s statement goes on. “Based on that investigation, the NCAA made its own findings and took remedial action, and we would refer you to that organization for further information.’’
Per freelance college hockey writer Jeff Cox, there’s little reason to believe this goes much deeper:
Being told unequivocally that none of alleged wrongdoing involved betting on college hockey, as some have rumored. Period. No 1 threw games.
— Jeff Cox (@jeffcox425) December 21, 2015
As a sophomore, Roberto was part of the BU squad led by North Chelmsford phenom Jack Eichel, which captured Beanpot and Hockey East titles before falling short in the NCAA championship game against Providence College, thanks in part to an own-goal by goaltender Matt O’Connor. This may or may not have been the work of mischievous Rhode Island nuns.
