Officials: Andover High School Hockey Players Denied Food, Water

ANDOVER (AP/CBS) — Officials at a Massachusetts high school say the state child welfare agency is investigating allegations that players on the hockey team were denied food and water as punishment for losing games.

Andover High School officials announced Thursday that the state Department of Children and Families is investigating the accusations. Officials previously disclosed that three coaches of the school's hockey team, including head coach, Christopher Kuchar, were placed on leave.

School administrators say the DCF is investigating two reported incidents: students not being allowed a water break while being forced to do punitive conditioning during a practice after losing a game, and players being denied food while returning to Andover after losing an away game against Pope Francis High School in Springfield.

The team's manager, Pete Stylos, called the allegations baseless, Thursday night. Stylos said the players were never denied food or water.

"They're hard coaches, they want they're players to succeed, but they're really great people," Stylos said.

Multiple sources told WBZ-TV that disgruntled parents contacted DCF even after the team was provided boxed lunches and Cliff bars on the way back from the game against Pope Francis.

Andover officials say they're cooperating with the DCF investigation and will do their own probe.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)