By Jill Saftel, News Staff

Senior forward Garrett Vermeersch has been suspended from the men’s hockey team indefinitely due to a violation of team rules, head coach Jim Madigan confirmed to The News on Tuesday.

Madigan declined to elaborate on the nature of the team rule(s) Vermeersch violated.

Vermeersch was already unable to play due to a high-ankle sprain, and has not taken to the ice since the Beanpot championship game against Boston College on Feb. 11. Prior to the injury, Vermeersch had three goals and 12 assists for 15 points overall in 25 games played. He still sits fifth among his teammates in scoring.

“Garrett Vermeersch right now has got a high-ankle sprain, he is not eligible to play because of a high-ankle sprain,” Madigan told The News on Tuesday. “During his injury and his rehab, I’ve suspended him indefinitely for violating team rules.

“He’s still not eligible to play from a health perspective, and in the meantime he broke team rules.”

Following Friday’s 6-2 loss to Providence College, Madigan said the statuses of Vermeersch and fellow injured senior, defenseman Drew Ellement who was injured at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell on Jan. 26, were week-to-week.

On Tuesday, Madigan said Ellement will be hitting the fifth week of his rehab this weekend.

“We’re hoping maybe we can get him in,” Madigan said of Ellement’s return before the regular season ends.

Vermeersch is doing his rehab at the Cabot Physical Education Center as he is not currently part of the team, Madigan said. The head coach said he will track Vermeersch’s progress when he decides to lift the suspension.

Vermeersch was not available for comment.