A Harvard athletic communications spokesman confirmed the departures, but said "we cannot speculate on the duration of the absence and cannot comment on the nature of his leave."

In August, Harvard announced it was investigating the possibility of 125 students cheating on a take-home final exam for a government class. The class involved several student-athletes who are taking a year's leave of absence, which is standard discipline in such cases.

Two other Harvard hockey players are also taking leaves.

Crimson goalie Raphael Girard told the university's student newspaper that "we might have some problems with the academic scandal. Some of them just want to take leaves to get more playing time and come back later because they were younger guys. Some other guys were just injured. But overall, they're going to come back."

Everson was on the Star Tribune's all-metro first team in 2011. His older brother, Marshall, plays for Harvard as well. Max Everson, who played in seven games this season for Harvard, was a seventh-round draft choice of Toronto in 2011.

Michalek, now playing for Cedar Rapids of the U.S. Hockey League, was a sixth-round choice of the Wild in 2011. He was All-Ivy second team last season. He has not played this season for the Crimson but told the student newspaper he would return next season.