Four Northern hockey players pleaded no contest, while misdemeanor charges against two other students and one former student were dismissed Tuesday, Dec. 6 at the Marquette County District Court.

The students, who were recently arrested for receiving and concealing stolen bikes on campus, are scheduled for sentencing on Tuesday, Dec. 13, according to Marquette County District Court records.

However, the four students are recommended for sentence delays, which means the charges will be dismissed and the conviction will not appear on their records if they abide by terms of a probationary period.

The four NMU hockey players pleaded no contest, which means they don’t have to admit they’re guilty, but the court treats the case as if they are guilty.

Those who pleaded no contest are Mitch Jones, 19, Jake Baker, 20, Daniel Vandercook Jr., 21, and Stephan Vigier, 21.

The charge is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and $500 fine. Attorney George Hyde III made the offer and Judge Dennis Girard accepted.

Baker, Jones, Vandercook and Vigier pleaded to receiving and concealing stolen property valued under $200. This is a reduction of their original charge of receiving and concealing stolen property valued at more than $200, but less than $1,000.

According to court records, the cases of former NMU student and hockey player Eric Walker, 18, current NMU hockey player Dylan Walchuk, 19, and NMU student Ryan Aynsley, 21, were all dismissed.

Walchuk and Aynsley were originally charged with receiving and concealing property under $200.

Walker was originally charged with receiving and concealing property valued at more than $200 but less than $1,000.

Walker no longer attends NMU and never played for the Wildcats during his time on the hockey team. Walker signed with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League and has appeared in six games to date.

Editor’s note: More information to come online throughout the week.