Konopka gets 20-game ban for violating PED program
The NHL hit Buffalo Sabres forward Zenon Konopka with a 20-game suspension Thursday for violating the terms of the NHL/ NHLPA performance-enhancing substances program.
The league did not reveal what substance was discovered in the player’s system. Konopka, a 33-year-old native of Niagara-on-the-Ont., later issued a statement through the NHL Players’ Association.
“I deeply regret that I have tested positive for a prohibited substance in violation of the NHL/ NHLPA performance-enhancing substances program,” he said. “I accept full responsibility for this error. … This violation occurred because I ingested a product that can be purchased over-the-counter and which, unknown to me, contained a substance that violated the program. Unfortunately, I did not take the necessary care to ensure the product did not contain a prohibited substance.”