A.J. Thelen was dismissed from the MSU hockey team for failing to meet student-athlete expectations, head coach Rick Comley announced March 6.

Comley said scratching Thelen in the Spartans' victory over Notre Dame on March 4 wasn't his first choice, but that he couldn't address the situation more thoroughly at that point in time.

Two days later, Comley announced Thelen had been dismissed. Comley said it was in the program's best interest to dismiss the sophomore defenseman from the team immediately, but wouldn't specify under what conditions.

Thelen was scratched March 4 for failing to attend a team function, and was dismissed by the program after learning Thelen, 19, was drinking underage after the game that night.

Thelen's mother, Sue, said Thursday another MSU player missed the same team function but went unpunished.

She also said two players on the team were recently given MIPs but still were allowed to play in the series. She did not specify who the players were.

Calls to A.J. Thelen were not returned.

Sue Thelen said when Comley told A.J. Thelen he was finished, Comley had not yet known about other players who accompanied him Friday after the game.

Sue Thelen said when Comley found that out, he called Thelen back and wanted to discuss it, but at that point, she and her husband were ready to go and get their son.

"I'm not saying that Coach Comley had it in for A.J. by any means, I don't want to say that. I don't mean to sound that way, but there was something," Sue Thelen said.

Comley said the dismissal was based on not one event but many instances throughout the year.

"It's unfortunate. Obviously the timing's not great," Comley said Friday.

"But if you're going to be a member of this program, or any team on campus, you have responsibilities - academically and socially - and if you don't meet them, there's going to be a consequence."

The dismissal came at an untimely part of the season with the Spartans heading into the first-round CCHA playoffs, playing host to Miami (Ohio) that upcoming weekend.

Comley said the issue was a distraction up until Thelen was dismissed.

"After the action was taken, I think it has kind of cleared the air for everybody," he said.

"I think it's frustrating for everybody, and it's just something that had to be done."

After an impressive freshman year, Thelen was named to the All-CCHA and second team All-America teams.

Thelen was also awarded the CCHA Offensive Defenseman Award for his 11 goals and 29 points and scored a spot on the USCHO Rookie Team.

The 6-foot-3, 210 pounder was a first-round draft pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Thelen struggled to find his scoring touch this season, posting only 11 assists in 33 games.

Upon returning to his hometown of Savage, Minn., following his dismissal, Thelen met with Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough to talk about his future in hockey.

Currently, Thelen is considering playing in the Western Hockey League until he can sign with the Wild once the NHL lockout is resolved.

Risebrough could not be reached for comment concerning the meeting, but reports indicate the meeting went "well."

Sue Thelen emphasized beliefs that many are unhappy with the MSU hockey program.

"I've been at a lot of games and I've talked to many parents and I will honestly tell you and there's no reason for me to lie about this - there are many, many parents that are very upset about what's happening at Michigan State and the hockey program," she said.

"I am not saying that for sour grapes by any means."

In games where Thelen has not played so far this season, the Spartans have compiled a 5-0 record.