Talk about Capitals hockey & more! > Washington Capitals & Other Hockey Discussion
Say it aint so, Nate!! (suspended for doping)
PUCKNRUSH:
--- Quote from: 4 Caps on Sunday September 02, 2018, 03:43:06 PM Eastern ---Very shocking and disappointing news. I don’t know what to think. It is hard to believe the NHL would hand down a 20 game suspension if they believed he didn’t know he had ingested the substance.
--- End quote ---
I was shocked, as well, guys!
In all of the media I ever saw on him, when he was here, he came off as a fun, hard working, but kind of easy going, jokester, more naive and “kid-like” in nature, which makes it all the harder to believe what has happened!
In this day and age, where it becomes ever more difficult to be shocked at anything in the news, sports or otherwise, I am still surprised at this one!
I find Schmittys personal comments, and reactions, to be plausibly truthful, and in-line, with what I would expect from his more naive nature. He seems genuinely shocked, expressing his disappointment, and even expressing respect for the NHL’s PED testing system! Because of this, I’m holding off on judgement, for now.
There are a few questions I have first.
1) What was the substance?
2) Schmitty claims his experts say “7 billionths of a milligram” of this substance. The big question for me then, is, of any other nhl players suspended for this substance, what were those players levels, by comparison?
3) For any other athletes that use this substance for enhancement purposes, what is considered to be a “therapeutically effective dosage” for enhancement, by the medical community?
Like 4Caps says though, hard to believe that such a harsh suspension would be given! Especially to a first timer! Also hard to believe that NHL would not know the standards pertaining to this substance!
Tough call for me fellas! Hopefully we’ll get some more detail soon
Rush
Maacoshark:
I dont think they have said what drug he tested positive for. Apparently 20 games in mandatory for a positive text for a first time offence. So few players have tested positive, it leads me to believe that the NHL is fairly lenient. The league must have felt this was a serious offense. I have heard that he has already appealed. It would be nice if they gave us more information.
alta:
There are quite a few legit over the counter drugs that we all use which are banned in sports, Asthmatic and allergy related. There are also a lot of things that are treated with minor doses of steroids that will make you fail a sports blood test. But a professional team/athlete should be aware of them. Should be, but aren't always.
PUCKNRUSH:
--- Quote from: Maacoshark on Sunday September 02, 2018, 11:05:33 PM Eastern --- I dont think they have said what drug he tested positive for. Apparently 20 games in mandatory for a positive text for a first time offence. So few players have tested positive, it leads me to believe that the NHL is fairly lenient. The league must have felt this was a serious offense. I have heard that he has already appealed. It would be nice if they gave us more information.
--- End quote ---
You’re right Maaco. The NHL hasn’t said what substance. Funny thing though, Schmidt hasn’t said either! I got the impression from the NBCSW article here, (that’s our local NBC Sports Washington app), that it was at an APPEAL already, that Schmitty brought his “experts”, also with an additional hair test that showed no intentional use, (according to Schmittys personal quote).
I’m not able to provide a link to the article. Very similar to RMNB article. But maybe I can copy it to here:
By J.J. Regan[/size][/color][/color]Sep 2, 2018, 4:01 PM EDT[/font][/color]
Former Capital Nate Schmidt suspended 20 games for violating NHL's PED policyFormer Capitals defenseman Nate Schmidt has been suspended 20 games without pay for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performacing Enhancing Substances Program, the league announced Sunday.
Schmidt, who was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the 2017 expansion draft, will not be eligible to play until Nov. 18 when Vegas plays the Edmonton Oilers. In addition, he will not be able to play in the preseason, though he is allowed to participate in training camp.
The exact substance in which Schmidt tested positive for was not released.
In the wake of the news of the suspension, Schmidt strongly denied any wrongdoing in a statement released on the Golden Knights' website.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.Vegas also issued a statement in support of Schmidt.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.Schmidt played an integral role in Vegas' surprising run to the Stanley Cup Final in the team's inaugural season. He led the team in ice-time per game in both the regular season and the playoffs. He was also second among the team's defensemen in points with 36 (5 goals, 31 assists).
Hey whaddya know, it worked!😁😁
Rush
alta:
I find it rather odd that it happened this time of year, makes me think he took some OTC allergy/flu meds and wasn't aware of whatever he tested positive for was banned. If the amount he tested positive for is accurate, that would definitely be environmental contamination. That is a ridiculously minute amount.
and the automatic appeal I believe is part of the CBA
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