TORONTO, ON – On Tuesday, TSN’s Rick Westhead reported that Western University had hired a private investigator to look into allegations of misconduct surrounding the Western Mustangs women’s hockey program. 

Per TSN, several players made allegations against those running the program, including head coach Candice Moxley, currently on leave, and strength and conditioning coach Jeff Watson, who works with most of Western’s athletics programs. 

Allegations included that Moxley forced players to play through injury, disregarded their mental health, told players they were replaceable and criticized social media posts. 

TSN also reported allegations of sexual harassment against Watson and confirmed through email to Moxley that the university was investigating the women’s hockey program. 

TSN says the university has turned to London, Ont. lawyer Elizabeth Hewitt to investigate the allegations.

Western’s women’s hockey team ended the 2022-23 season fifth of six teams in the OUA West, with a record of 9-18-0. The program has not advanced to the OUA McCaw Cup Playoffs since 2021-22 when they fell to the Brock Badgers 3-0 in the OUA West final. 

The TSN reports out of Western come less than two weeks after 49 Sports reported hazing within the TMU Bold men’s soccer program, with that team suspended and forfeiting two games while TMU conducted an ongoing investigation.