Following dismissal from the Boston University hockey team, forward Vinny Saponari has made the decision to transfer to rival Hockey East program, Boston College, the Boston Hockey Blog reports.
Saponari will sit out one year per NCAA rules, and will start as a junior for the Eagles in the 2011-12 season. The Georgia native was cut from Jack Parker's squad after missing a team bike ride last spring, which was a punishment for failing the team's alcohol policy.
Despite moving to the Terriers' noted rival, Saponari says the transfer isn't out of spite for Coach Parker and the BU program.
"That whole situation was something that you never want to go through, but it made me grow up a lot and do a lot of thinking over the summer," Saponari told the Boston Hockey Blog. "I wasn't very mature when I was at BU, but I hope in the long run, [the experience] helps me. It was an unfortunate situation, but I've grown up and learned from it."
The forward — whose rights belong to the Atlanta Thrashers — put up 17 points in his freshman season, followed by 30 points (12-18-30) in his sophomore year with BU. While he maintains close friendships with several members of the Terriers' squad, Saponari says he is looking forward to the move to Chestnut Hill.
"I love the city of Boston, and Boston College always has a good team," Saponari said. "I played against them for two years. I know how the program is — the professionalism that comes with being there and playing there."
