Tuesday, June 3, 2014
NHL Suspends Zenon Konopka For Positive PED Test
The NHL has suspended Buffalo Sabres Zenon Konopka for 20 games without pay for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
Konopka has claimed he took an over the counter product which is responsible for his failed drug test, but fell short of naming the product he took. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of products sold by retailers and online that could cause a positive PED drugs test.
Konopka issued a statement exclaiming his innocence and pulling the “I don’t know” card from the deck and playing a fool. Regardless of him co-operating with the NHL to name the substance he’s been handed the mandatory 20-game suspension without pay.
“I deeply regret that I have tested positive for a prohibited substance in violation of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program,” he said. ”I accept full responsibility for this error. As a professional athlete I am responsible for what I put in my body, and I am to blame for this mistake.
“I want to make it clear that this violation occurred because I ingested a product that can be purchased over-the-counter and which, unknown to me, contained a substance that violated the program. Unfortunately, I did not take the necessary care to ensure that the product did not contain a prohibited substance. I want to stress, however, that I did not take this substance for the purpose of enhancing my athletic performance.
“I apologize to my teammates and to the Buffalo Sabres organization, as well as to my friends and family. I have learned a great deal from this experience, something I hope to be able to share with younger players. I will accept this suspension and continue to work hard to prepare for the 2014-15 season.”
Under terms of the collective-bargaining agreement, a first positive test for performance-enhancing substances results in mandatory 20-game suspension and a mandatory referral to the League’s Substance Abuse/Behavioral Health Program for evaluation, education and possible treatment. A second test would mean a 60-game suspension and third test is a lifetime suspension, but players have the ability to appeal.
With Konopkas contract expiring at the end of the season and this 20-game suspension preventing him from playing further, its unclear what the future holds for the 2014-2015 NHL season for Konopka.
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