IIHF suspends Kuznetsov four years for cocaine
Emily KaplanESPN
The Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation suspended Washington Capitals middle Evgeni Kuznetsov for 4 years after testing optimistic for cocaine on the 2019 IIHF World Championships on Might 26.
The IIHF introduced the suspension on Friday, and stated Kuznetsov “did not require the evaluation of his B-sample and was provisionally suspended on 13th June 2019.” He might be eligible to return on June 12, 2023.
Kuznetsov, 27, is beneath contract by way of the Capitals till 2024-25 and competes internationally for Russia.
In Might, Kuznetsov appeared in a now-deleted video that surfaced on social media sitting in a lodge room close to traces of a white, powdery substance. Kuznetsov denied ever taking medication. The NHL launched an investigation into the incident, which it swiftly closed.
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“Whereas we actually don’t condone or endorse among the choices he made on the night time in query, Mr. Kuznetsov’s account of the occasions that transpired aligns with different info we’ve been in a position to collect, and we’ve discovered no foundation to query his representations with respect to what did – and didn’t – happen,” deputy commissioner Invoice Daly’s assertion learn partially.
The NHL checks its gamers for medication of abuse, akin to cocaine and marijuana. Nonetheless in keeping with the NHL and NHLPA’s joint Substance Abuse and Behavioral Well being (SABH) Program, gamers aren’t suspended for optimistic checks. Reasonably, if this system directors flag “abnormally excessive ranges” of any substance, the veil of anonymity is lifted and docs can advocate remedy.
If the participant chooses to enter the SABH, the NHL and NHLPA docs have the ability to levy fines, suspensions or different penalties if situations are breached. Nonetheless, the participant is just not required to enter this system if he does not wish to.