Massachusetts

Andover HS Hockey Coaches Clear Investigation, Reinstated After Controversy

Three high school hockey coaches cleared an investigation by DCF Friday and were reinstated to their positions

Three hockey coaches have been reinstated to their positions at Andover High Schools after being cleared of allegations of neglect and child endangerment.

The coaches were being investigated by the school district and the Department of Children and Family Services.

Allegations against the coaches first surfaced in January when all three were accused of denying their players food and water after losses while on the road.

Andover High School Principal Philip Conrad said Tuesday in a statement that the school district's independent investigation had found that the allegations were "not sustained."

Conrad announced in that statement that it was his intention to "reinstate the ice hockey coaches as soon as we can if I can confirm that the DCF investigation has reached the same conclusion."

On Friday he announced that the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families had also found all of the allegations against the coaches unsupported.

“In light of this notification, and with the results of our internal investigation in hand, I am reinstating the three varsity hockey coaches immediately,” said Conrad.

The school has not identified any of the coaches being investigated. However, head coach Chris Kuchar issued a statement Friday while waiting to hear the results of the DCF investigation. "This has been a very difficult time for my family, my team, my coaching staff and the Andover Community," wrote Kuchar, "I am thankful for all the support I have received, from players, coaches, parents and many others too numerous to mention."

Kuchar's statement continued, "The Andover High School hockey program, its coaches and all support personnel, always place the safety and well-being of the players above all other considerations and always will."

Kuchar has previously said through his attorney that he strongly denies the allegations against him.

A source told NBC10 Boston in January that the coaches denied letting players have water after workouts or allowing them to eat after an on-the-road loss against St. Paul in Springfield.

Junior Varsity hockey coach Peter Loring was named the interim varsity head coach while the coaches were being investigated and on leave.

None of the coaches is school district staff employees.

"The safety and well-being of our students is our most important priority, and I am disheartened to hear of the allegations against members of our coaching staff," Conrad said in a statement after the allegations first came to light.

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