DeSmith was arrested and charged with domestic assault and resisting arrest after police were called to a house near the school’s Durham campus early Sunday morning, according to the Durham Police Department.
A female victim was “thrown to the ground, jumped on top of and was repeatedly punched and spat upon,” Durham Deputy Police Chief Renee Kelly told The New Hampshire. Kelly added that DeSmith, 23, “appeared intoxicated” when police arrived and reportedly resisted arrest after being taken to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. The police also found “physical evidence” on the victim’s body, Kelly said.
News of the arrest was first reported by Foster’s Daily Democrat.
The university issued the following statement Wednesday:
“The University of New Hampshire is aware of Casey DeSmith’s arrest. The university takes the allegations very seriously and will always act to ensure the health and safety of our community. The university will treat this report with the seriousness that it deserves and in a manner consistent with our handling of similar cases involving any UNH student. Consistent with our policies regarding student athletes charged with this type of behavior, Mr. DeSmith has been suspended from the men’s hockey team pending further investigation into the matter.”
DeSmith, who is entering his senior year, has been the Wildcats’ primary starting goaltender since 2012, starting 74 of UNH’s 80 games over the past two seasons.
Photo via Facebook/UNH Wildcats