According to a Michigan State Wolverines site, Montreal Canadiens prospect Andrew Conboy has left the school, after being suspending following an incident during a game with a rival Michigan Spartans team.
Conboy and a teammate were suspended for the rest of the regular season by Michigan State University on Tuesday following a violent on-ice attack. The incident occurred late in the Spartans’ 5-3 loss on Sunday night in Ann Arbor.
After Wolverines defenceman Steve Kampfer hit Michigan State forward Corey Tropp into the boards, Conboy retaliated, tackling Kampfer from behind and knocking him to the ice. While Kampfer was down, Tropp hit Kampfer’s neck with his stick.
Kampfer left the arena in a neck brace, and was diagnosed with a sprained neck but no concussion. He’s expected to play against Notre Dame this weekend.
Tropp was ejected from the game, while Conboy received a double minor for fighting.
Tropp was confronted in the Michigan State dressing room by Kampfer’s father, Bruce, before the man was restrained by security.
Conboy and Tropp will miss the last 10 games of the regular season and at least two playoff contests.
“What happened near the end of the game this weekend is not the way in which we want our hockey program represented,” Michigan State coach Rick Comley said in a statement. “We cannot condone their actions. We felt that we had to send a strong message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.”
“I don’t think the kids are bad kids. I don’t think it was premeditated,” Comley said. “But they made bad decisions in a critical time in the game, and it reflected badly on the program.”
Kampfer — an Anaheim Ducks prospect — was involved in a separate violent incident in October when he was assaulted outside a bar, reportedly by a Michigan football player. Kampfer suffered a fractured skull and a severe neck injury.
Both players could have stayed in school this semester and had the opportunity to return to the team next season.
But Conboy – a 2007 fourth-round NHL draft choice of the Montreal Canadiens from Rosemount, Minn. – elected to move on and begin his pro career. He’s expected to meet with Canadiens officials to discuss his options in the coming days.
The 6′ 4″, 200 pound Conboy is a native of Burnsville, MN, and is a tough, physical player who’s game is likely more suited for pro hockey. Coach Comley was not surprised by Conboy’s decision.
Here is a clip of the Sunday incident.
