The defense of the Florida Panthers, Aaron Ekblad, has been suspended by 20 games without paying for violating NHL's policy over drugs that improve performance.
The League announced the strong prohibition of Ekblad on Monday and added that it comes with a mandatory reference for evaluation and possible treatment under a program of the League Union and players for substance abuse and behavior health.
The 29 -year -old, who has spent more than a decade at the NHL with Florida, has been accused of violating politics in Ped only nine months after the historic triumph of the Panthers Stanley Cup over the Edmonton Oilers.
After the news of his prohibition broke on Monday, Ekblad assumed all his doping rape and said that “he made a mistake” while recovering from an injury in a statement issued through the union of the players.
“As the NHL announced, they have suspended me for violating the substance program to improve NHL/NHLPA performance,” he said.
'The news that he had failed in a random drug test was a shock. Ultimately, I made an error when taking something to help me recover from recent injuries without first verifying with adequate medical and team.
The Panthers star, Aaron Ekblad, has been suspended by 20 games for violating NHL's policy in Peds
'I have let my teammates, the organization of the Panthers and our great fans go down. Therefore, I'm very sorry.
'I have accepted the responsibility of my mistake and I will be fully prepared to return to my team when my suspension ends. I have learned a tough lesson and I can't wait to return with my teammates.
Ekblad helped the team to secure its first championship in June last year, when a 2-1 crucial victory in game 7 of its series against Edmonton sealed the feat.
The Stanley Cup defending champions have 18 games in the current regular season, which means that their first two postseason games will be lost.
The Panthers (40-21-3, 83 points) lead the Atlantic division and are in a privileged position for a position in the playoffs.
Ekblad was the number 1 team in the 2014 draft and has played his entire career with Florida.
This season has played in 56 games and scored 33 points (three goals, 30 assists) while led the Panthers skaters on average ice time (23:30).
The Florida icon has played in 732 race games and accumulated 118 goals and 262 assists, adding four goals and 16 assists in 64 appearances in playoffs.