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Winthrop hockey coaches, players investigated after alleged locker room drinking

WINTHROP, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – Winthrop High School hockey coaches and players are under investigation after police say they found open containers in the locker rooms Friday night.

An officer on patrol reportedly noticed doors opening and closing in the back of the middle school just before midnight. After investigating further, the officer found beer cans in both locker rooms and smelled alcohol. Now both police and school officials are investigating the incident.

"There's allegations that there were kids drinking inside the locker room, also coaches drinking inside another locker room. Those allegations are under investigation by both law enforcement and the administration of the schools," Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty said.

The accused players were high school students, but their locker rooms are located in the middle school.

The charges that could stem from this incident would be contributing to delinquency of minors and minors in possession of alcohol, according to Delehanty. There are also MIAA and school rules that may have been violated, so suspensions could follow as well.

"The important lesson to take out of this is make smart decisions and choices when you are participating in these events," Delehanty said.

Winthrop Public Schools Superintendent John Macero would not comment on the incident, only saying the school district has zero tolerance for alcohol and that they are currently investigating allegations of underage drinking.