Colorado College head coach Don Lucia has decided not to renew the scholarship of last season’s No. 1 goaltender, Jason Cugnet, ending the sophomore’s hockey career at CC.
“We felt that Jason didn’t have the commitment to this team,” Lucia told the Colorado Springs Gazette. “We laid out certain expectations for our players and our team, and Jason didn’t meet those. He had more than enough opportunities to show us he was willing to do what was asked and he didn’t do it.”
Lucia said that Cugnet, who was named to the WCHA all-academic team last season, did not show the necessary work ethic. Weight has been a problem for Cugnet, who also pulled a groin muscle midseason last year.
Cugnet said he was shocked by the decision.
“I didn’t think they could do something like this. I’m at a loss, I’m a mess, and I don’t know what to do. I’ll have to transfer because I can’t afford to stay here. But I want to stay here. This is where my life is.”
A transfer would require Cugnet to sit out the 1998-99 season.
Cugnet said that he will appeal Lucia’s decision to CC’s admission and finanical aid committee, but athletic director Marty Scarano said his CC hockey career is over regardless.
“If he wins the appeal, he can come back to school here,” Scarano said. “But he won’t play hockey.”
