Vegas player - Schmidt suspended 20 games

[langway05]

Schmidt of Golden Knights suspended 20 games

Nate Schmidt of the Vegas Golden Knights has been suspended for the first 20 games of the regular season without pay for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program, the League announced Sunday.

The defenseman will be permitted to participate in team activities during training camp, but he will not dress or play in any preseason games. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health for evaluation and possible treatment.

Schmidt, 27, is eligible to return Nov. 18 when the Golden Knights play at the Edmonton Oilers.

"I am extremely disappointed to learn that I have been suspended for a violation of the NHL/ NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program," Schmidt said in a statement.

"The fact that I'm issuing this statement is surreal to me as I have only used supplements provided by my NHL team and I have always been extremely careful about what I put into my body. Throughout my playing career I have been tested numerous times, including twice last season, and I have never before tested positive. It was utterly shocking to be informed that I tested positive for a microscopic amount of a tainted substance. Not only did I not intentionally take a banned substance, I could not have received any performance enhancement benefit from the trace amount that inadvertently got into my system at a level that was far too small to have any effect. This low amount was consistent with environmental contamination that I could not possibly have prevented.

"While I support having a strong Performance Enhancing Substances Program in place for our sport, it is difficult to accept this suspension. I understand that I will miss these games, but I do not agree with the suspension and I will not accept being labelled a cheater."

Schmidt had NHL career highs in goals (five), assists (31) and points (36) last season for the Vegas Golden Knights after he was selected in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft. Schmidt had seven points (three goals, four assists) in 20 Stanley Cup Playoff games to help the Golden Knights reach the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. Vegas lost to the Washington Capitals in five games.

 

[newfiecomicguy1]

Fairly heavy suspension for the amount found in his system.

 

[creasecollector]

Fairly heavy suspension for the amount found in his system.

I thought that, too. But I understand the NHL's need to be hard with performance enhancing substances because if they don't draw a hard line in the sand then where does it end?

It's a real shame though. Doesn't seem like there was any purposeful intent on the player here.

 

[capsfan30]

In his response he's fairly adamant he never purposely took anything not given to him by a member of the organization, and the amount actually found in his system is so low he wouldn't have gained any kind of enhanced performance.

As he's a former Cap, I like the guy, so I want to believe him. But it's also what other individuals who have been caught taking PED's in the past have said, so I don't know.

EDIT: For those who haven't seen it, here's what Schmidt said:

I am extremely disappointed to learn that I have been suspended for a violation of the NHL/ NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. The fact that I'm issuing this statement is surreal to me as I have only used supplements provided by my NHL team and I have always been extremely careful about what I put into my body. Throughout my playing career I have been tested numerous times, including twice last season, and I have never before tested positive. It was utterly shocking to be informed that I tested positive for a microscopic amount of a tainted substance. Not only did I not intentionally take a banned substance, I could not have received any performance enhancement benefit from the trace amount that inadvertently got into my system at a level that was far too small to have any effect. This low amount was consistent with environmental contamination that I could not possibly have prevented.

One of the experts in environmental contamination who testified on my behalf at the Appeal hearing described the amount of the substance found in my system - 7 billionths of a milligram/mL - as the equivalent of a pinch of salt in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Another expert analyzed a sample of my hair and concluded there was no evidence of intentional use. The Vegas Golden Knights track players' strength and performance metrics and my results have remained constant over the past year.

While I support having a strong Performance Enhancing Substances Program in place for our sport, it is difficult to accept this suspension. I understand that I will miss these games, but I do not agree with the suspension and I will not accept being labelled a cheater.

I have worked my whole life to become an NHL player, and I'm extremely proud to be a player in the NHL. I have never cut corners in order to achieve this goal. I am grateful for the support of the entire Golden Knights organization and I can't put into words how disappointed I am that I will not be on the ice at the beginning of the season to help my teammates work towards another Stanley Cup run.

I will make no further comment on this matter at this time.

Here's what Vegas said in support of their defenseman:

We were notified that the NHL has suspended Nate Schmidt for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. While we respect the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program and are committed to its success, we strongly disagree with the suspension. We firmly believe that the presence of a trace of the banned substance was accidental and unintentional. Based on our conversations with Nate, analysis from independent medical experts and sworn testimony from the parties involved, we believe it is clear Nate was not able to reasonably ascertain how the substance entered his body.

Nate is an honest person with high moral character and great integrity. We will stand by him and support him during this time.

 

[geschrocks33]

I personally think this is some real BS move from the NHL. I understand the precedents set forth, but you basically just said that a microscopic amount of a substance that couldn't possible have been put into his body purposely, or given him any sort of advantage (which was backed up by experts if I recall the story) is more punishable than people headhunting, checking from behind, kneeing guys, etc. The NHL needs to get a grasp on their disciplinary actions.

 

[TanguayFan]

If the amount recorded is true, then SHAME on the NHL for actually suspending the guy. I agree with the post above, that the punishment does not fit the crime, nor does the leagues ***-backward disciplinary policies.

20 games for that, while mutts like Brad Marchand get away with licking players FFS.

 

[pathshot]

A respectable policy has thresholds - not zero tolerance - for reasons like these.

That said, I'd be curious about the supplement manufacturer - and if action could be taken against them. It's clear it was given by the team, and it's great that they're standing by him. This is roughly a half million out of his check, though.

I really struggle with how, with all this evidence at appeal, could the NHL be okay with their own decision - knowing it's an instant black-eye for their policy.

 

[gomaz]

I believe Schmidt. His agent's statement was strong as well. Total horsepoo if you ask me. He should take the league to task as should the NHLPA.

This is a case where the rule caught someone the policy behind the rule wasn't meant to penalize.

Garbage.

 

[one20]

I think this is a good write up from RMNB on the situation ...

No one knows anything about Nate Schmidt’s suspension for PEDs

 

[FrozenInferno]

I think he's being genuine. Tough break for him and the Knights.

 

[phate]

"Also banned during competition specifically are stimulants (e.g. cocaine); narcotics (e.g. heroin); cannabinoids (e.g. marijuana); and glucocorticoids, which are banned in specific applications."

Interesting. The wording of one of Schmidt's statements where he says "environmental contamination" leads me to wonder whether this could even be something silly like marijuana. I'm not sure how your environment can contaminate you with performance enhancing steroids (whereas by inhaling second hand weed smoke it could result in a positive test like this), but maybe that's possible. Without saying what the substance is it's just a guess.

Without more details it's hard to know who's right or wrong in this scenario, but the "zero-tolerance" for certain substances on this list (marijuana, possibly others) should definitely be changed to some sort of reasonable threshold.