December 29, 2009
Frattin, Dismissed Last August, Returns to Sioux
North Dakota Junior was Arrested Twice Last Summer
CHN Staff Report
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — North Dakota coach Dave Hakstol has decided to reinstate junior forward Matt Frattin to the team.
Frattin was kicked off the team in August after his second run-in with the law in two months. Frattin, who was accused of getting into late-night rowdiness with former Sioux defenseman Joe Finley last summer, was arrested again in August for drunk driving. His blood-alcohol level was 0.12, above the state's legal limit of 0.08.
At the time, Hakstol said in a statement, "We also care about Matt Frattin and would like to put him in position to be able to live a healthy lifestyle and resume his hockey career," while holding out the possibility Frattin could rejoin the team next season.
Hakstol pushed up the timeline for Frattin, the team's third-leading scorer last season, and the Edmonton, Alberta, native has resumed practicing with the team and enrolled in spring classes.
In 42 games with the Sioux last season, Frattin scored 13 goals and 25 points. A fourth-round draft pick (99th overall) of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2007, Frattin has 40 points in 85 career games at UND.
Frattin was arrested with Finley in July for throwing objects out of a residential garage and into the street. Frattin was also accused of fleeing the police.
Finley, a former first-round NHL pick, went on to a sign a pro deal with the Washington Capitals.
Frattin had been home in Edmonton, trying to stay in shape, since getting dismissed last August.
