Mt. Ararat High School, photographed on Tuesday, canceled two boys hockey practices in the wake of a school investigation into an alleged bullying incident. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald

The Mt. Ararat High School boys hockey team will resume its season on Saturday as an investigation into allegations of hazing continues.

Superintendent Heidi O’Leary of School Administrative District 75 made the announcement in a letter to players on Friday afternoon.

“I understand that this week has been challenging for many of you, and I appreciate your patience and resilience during this time,” she wrote. “I am pleased to inform you that practices and games will resume starting tomorrow, and I hope this brings some excitement and focus back to your season.”

The cooperative hockey team will play at Biddeford on Saturday, according to its schedule.

In response to questions from the Press Herald, O’Leary said in an email Friday that the team will be coached by interim staff “for now,” but she would not answer any additional questions, including if any players have been suspended.

Practices have been on hold since Monday when O’Leary announced that the district was investigating allegations of bullying involving members of the co-op that includes players from SAD 75, Lisbon and Bath. The team also postponed a game that had been scheduled for Wednesday against Gorham.

Although school officials have not offered any details about the allegations, they were described in a conversation between an attorney for the school district and a player on the team who saw the incident. The interview was recorded by a parent and shared with the Press Herald on the condition that neither the parent nor the child would be identified.

In it, the player described an incident in which two senior players held down a freshman and assaulted him with pickles in the locker room at an opposing school late last month. The senior players also allegedly tried to remove the younger boy’s pants as he screamed in protest.

There also were references during the interview to previous incidents that may be part of the investigation, but the student said he did not personally witness those.

O’Leary’s letter to players stressed that the investigation, which is being conducted by the Lewiston law firm Brann & Isaacson, is still ongoing.

“It’s important for all student athletes to take a moment to carefully review the Athlete Code of Conduct to ensure we uphold the highest standards both on and off the ice,” she wrote. “Let’s use this opportunity to focus on what we love most – playing hockey, improving our skills and working together as a team.”

Prior to Friday’s announcement, O’Leary had allowed the junior varsity team to resume practice and competition, but with different coaches.

At an SAD75 school committee meeting Thursday night, board members voted unanimously to approve Erik Baker to serve as interim coach, replacing A.J. Kavanaugh. Baker is Superintendent O’Leary’s brother.

The appointment of an interim coach was in no way a negative reflection on current staff but merely a way to ensure the investigation proceeds in a fair and thorough manner,” board chair Amy Spelke said Thursday.

“I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the volunteer coaches who have generously stepped in to support and guide you during this time,” O’Leary wrote Friday. “Let’s show them the respect and dedication they deserve by giving our best effort in every practice and game.”

Neither Kavanaugh nor assistant coach Todd Ridlon responded to messages Friday from a Press Herald reporter.

The decision to allow the team to resume practices and competition is a departure from how things were handled this past fall when allegations of hazing were leveled against the Lisbon High football team. In that instance, games were canceled on a week-by-week basis as the investigation continued, and the team never returned to the field.

There is no timeline for when the investigation at Mt. Ararat will be completed, O’Leary said this week.