By Jack Seiner, Globe correspondent

The Boston University men’s hockey team announced Wednesday that sophomore forward and touted NHL prospect Charlie Coyle has decided not to rejoin the team when it reconvenes following the winter break.

“Charlie has decided that he would like to focus on beginning his professional hockey career,” BU coach Jack Parker said via press release. “We respect his decision and certainly wish him all the best in the future.”

The team declined to make Parker available for further comment.

Coyle, a first-round pick (28th overall by San Jose) in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, will join the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, although he likely won't join the team until after representing the U.S. later this month at the IIHF World Junior Championships in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. Coyle is on the team's preliminary roster, and figures to make the squad after helping the US capture a bronze medal at last year's WJC.

Coyle’s departure comes just days after Parker dismissed senior Corey Trivino from the team after Trivino's was arrested Sunday and charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery, two counts of breaking and entering in the nighttime, and one count of assault with attempt to rape.

Trivino was the team’s leading scorer with 17 points (13 goals, 4 assists), while Coyle was tied for third with 14 points (3 goals, 11 assists).

The sophomore's departure was first reported by U.S. Hockey Report yesterday morning, which said Coyle’s departure was “supposedly due to academic issues.” Coyle, in a text message to The Daily Free Press said this afternoon, "He was not failing out."

Coyle, originally drafted by San Jose, had his rights traded to the Minnesota Wild last summer alongside Devin Setoguchi and a 2011 first-round pick for defenseman Brent Burns.

Coyle played 53 games in his year and a half with the Terriers, netting 10 goals with 30 assists. Last year, the 6-2, 207-lb. forward tied for fourth on the team with 26 points, and earned Hockey East and New England Rookie of the Year honors.

The East Weymouth native had been a BU fan since he was young. His cousin, Tony Amonte, played at BU for two years before embarking on an 18-year career in the NHL.