The state of Minnesota is apparently down two collegiate players, as Shawn Roed of Minnesota and Matt Noga of St. Cloud State have decided to leave their respective teams, local reports indicate.
SCSU senior center Noga has left the program for personal reasons, according to the St. Cloud Times.
Noga, who missed last weekend’s series with Denver, said his decision is final.
“I missed the bus [to the Minneapolis airport last Thursday] on purpose,” Noga told Kevin Allenspach of the Times. “No one knew what was going on. I just feel like I haven’t been used as I should as an athlete this year, and I’ve decided to move on.”
Noga had eight points in 14 games this season. He is planning to play professionally, the report indicated.
Meanwhile, Roed, a freshman forward for Minnesota, has also decided to leave his team, according to a report in the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.
Roed has not played since being suspended by coach Don Lucia for being behind in school work on Nov. 24.
“I think he felt the hole was too big for him to climb out of,” Lucia told Rachel Blount of the Star Tribune. “It’s disappointing. I wish him well; he was a very good player for us, and I think he was maturing. But I think right now, he wants to play hockey more than he wants to go to school.”
Roed, who had three goals and six assists in 12 games, plans to play for the Portland (Ore.) Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League when he finishes the semester, according to Roed’s father, Chris.
