Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for 20 games without pay for violating the NHL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
The league announced Ekblad’s hefty ban Monday and added that it comes with a mandatory referral for evaluation and possible treatment under a league and players union program for substance abuse and behavioral health.
The 29-year-old, who has spent over a decade in the NHL with Florida, has been accused of violating policy on PEDs just nine months on from the Panthers’ historic Stanley Cup triumph over the Edmonton Oilers.
After news of his ban broke on Monday, Ekblad took full responsibility for his doping violation and claimed he ‘made a mistake’ while recovering from injury in a statement released through the players’ union.
‘As the NHL announced, I have been suspended for violating the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program,’ he said.
‘The news that I had failed a random drug test was a shock. Ultimately, I made a mistake by taking something to help me recover from recent injuries without first checking with proper medical and team personnel.
Panthers star Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for 20 games for violating NHL policy on PEDs
‘I have let my teammates, the Panthers organization and our great fans down. For that, I am truly sorry.
‘I have accepted responsibility for my mistake and will be fully prepared to return to my team when my suspension is over. I have learned a hard lesson and cannot wait to be back with my teammates.’
Ekblad helped the team clinch its first ever championship in June of last year, when a crucial 2-1 victory in Game 7 of their series against Edmonton sealed the feat.
The defending Stanley Cup champions have 18 games left in the current regular season, meaning he will miss their first two games of the postseason.
The Panthers (40-21-3, 83 points) lead the Atlantic Division and are in prime position for a playoff berth.
Ekblad was the No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft and has played his entire career with Florida.
This season he has played in 56 games and tallied 33 points (three goals, 30 assists) while leading the Panthers’ skaters in average time on ice (23:30).
The Florida icon has played in 732 career games and amassed 118 goals and 262 assists, adding four goals and 16 assists in 64 playoff appearances.
