Woodstock High School hockey team suspended for season
The Woodstock High School boys' hockey team has been suspended for the season after players violated an extra-curricular performance contract, principal Bill Hogan says.
Details of what triggered the suspension of the Woodstock Thunder players were not available, but it's related to a party held Nov. 10, after the team's first home game of the season, against Carleton North High School.
The majority of the players were involved, Hogan stated in an email to CBC News.
Students may be suspended from play for up to one calendar year for failing to "model appropriate legal and health choices as they pertain to tobacco, drugs and alcohol," according to a copy of the Woodstock High School Thunder extra-curricular performance contract sent home to parents and guardians.
They may also be suspended for failing to "obey all reasonable direction of the coach or assistant coach/teacher supervisor."
School decided
The decision to suspend the hockey players was made by the school, said Hogan.
"Activities are a privilege to participate in, but not the student's right," the contract states.
"Although activities are of great importance to our school, this by no means allows individuals to deviate from school behaviour expectations at Woodstock High School.
"In fact, as ambassadors of our school, our activity students will be expected to uphold the very best in behaviour and discipline."
The Woodstock Thunder play AA hockey in the New Brunswick Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Decision supported
Each school in the association has its own performance contracts for its extra-curricular activities.
NBIAA president Andy Clark says in the eight years he's been with the association he can't recall a situation like this.
But Clark said he supports the school's decision.
"They have the right to withdraw their team. If it's something that occurred during the playing of a game then they would typically consult with us, but this is something that's at the school's level."
Woodstock RCMP commander Sgt. J.P. MacDougall said he's aware of the incident. He said police are working with school officials to determine what took place and what should happen next.
