BU To Study 'Culture' Of Hockey Team After Recent Arrests

BOSTON (AP) — Boston University is forming a task force to study the "culture and climate" of its men's hockey team after two of its players were arrested on sexual assault charges this season.

In a letter sent to students, trustees and employees, BU President Robert Brown said the charges in the two cases "understandably lead to questions about whether the hockey team's culture and climate have contributed in some way to the actions of the two individuals."

"The University must address these questions and, if deficiencies are identified, make appropriate and necessary changes," Brown said.

In December, Corey Trivino, 21, of Toronto, Canada, was arrested on indecent assault and battery charges after he allegedly forced his way into a female student's dorm room, tried to kiss her and repeatedly groped her. Trivino, a 2008 draft pick of the New York Islanders, was then the leading goal scorer in Hockey East, with 13 in 15 games.

Earlier this week, junior defenseman Max Nicastro was charged with raping a female student. Nicastro is a 2008 Detroit Red Wings draft pick from Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Both players have pleaded not guilty. They were both suspended from the team.

Brown said the formation of the task force does not reflect a judgment about the facts in the two cases.

"The constitution of the task force does, however, reflect a University-level judgment that the two incidents indicate something systemic or habitual may foster a team climate that does not comport with the highest stands of conduct we seek to maintain for all members of our community," Brown wrote in his letter.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.