BU Hockey's Nick Roberto Suspended For Season Amid Gambling Investigation

BOSTON (CBS) -- Boston University junior forward Nick Roberto has not played in a game all season long, and he will not hit the ice at all for the Terriers this year, according to the school.

The news came after the College Hockey News reported that Roberto's suspension is punishment for the Wakefield native gambling during last year's season.

According to NCAA bylaws, "A student-athlete who engages in activities designed to influence the outcome of an intercollegiate contest or in an effort to affect win-loss margins ('point shaving') or who participates in any sports wagering activity involving the student-athlete's institution shall permanently lose all remaining regular-season and postseason eligibility in all sports. A student-athlete who participates in any sports wagering activity through the Internet, a bookmaker or a parlay card shall be ineligible for all regular-season and postseason competition for a minimum period of one year from the date of the institution's determination that a violation occurred and shall be charged with the loss of a minimum of one season of eligibility.  If the student-athlete is determined to have been involved in a later violation of any portion of Bylaw 10.3, the student-athlete shall permanently lose all remaining regular-season and postseason eligibility in all sports."

BU released the following statement on Monday afternoon:

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.

However, we can say that several months ago, we heard rumors that a BU hockey player had engaged in gambling.  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.  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.

Roberto led all BU sophomores in goals last season and was second among sophomores in points, yet he's been held out of action this year. Head coach David Quinn claimed it was a "coach's decision" when Roberto was not in the lineup on opening night this season.

Roberto attended Malden Catholic for two years, winning a Super 8 championship in 2011, before he transferred to Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire. In his freshman and sophomore seasons at BU combined, Roberto has 11 goals and 19 assists in 74 games.

Last year, Boston University went 28-7-5 en route to winning the Beanpot and the Hockey East Tournament, but they lost in the national championship game, 4-3, to Providence College.