The Buffalo News has reported that Niagara senior forward Ryan Murphy has been suspended 18 games by the team for driving while intoxicated and causing an accident in Lewiston, N.Y., back on Sept. 29.
Murphy, Niagara’s top returning scorer, will be arraigned in Lewiston Town Court on Wednesday.
Murphy’s suspension ends Jan. 13, 2014, and the first game he is eligible to play in is Jan. 17 against Holy Cross.
“This suspension, which covers over 50 percent of the 2013-14 season, is effective Monday,” Purple Eagles’ coach Dave Burkholder told the paper. “The expectation is that Ryan will continue as a student at Niagara with plans to rejoin the team for the second half of the season.”
According to a post on the Lewiston Police Department’s Facebook page, a 24-year old male was arrested for driving while intoxicated and other vehicle and traffic violations after a two-car accident on Lewiston Hill. Reportedly, the male, later confirmed by Niagara County Sheriffs to be Murphy, refused his breath and blood tests.
Murphy did not play in the Purple Eagles’ series against Clarkson last weekend. He led Niagara with 36 points last season.
