Ducks’ Horcoff suspended 20 games for using banned substances

ANAHEIM, California — Anaheim Ducks forward Shawn Horcoff was suspended for 20 games Tuesday for violating the terms of the NHL’s performanceenhancing substances program.

The 37-year-old Horcoff acknowledged his mistake in a statement issued by the NHL Players’ Association. He said he tried an unspecified treatment to speed up his recovery from an injury last fall.

“Although I was unaware that this treatment was not permitted under NHL rules, that is no excuse whatsoever,” Horcoff said. “I should have done my research, and I should have checked with the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program’s doctors. I accept full responsibility for my actions, and I am sorry.”

Horcoff is the third player to be suspended under the program approved by the league and union in the most recent collective bargaining agreement. Zenon Konopka of the Buffalo Sabres and Carter Ashton of the Toronto Maple Leafs were suspended in 2014.

Horcoff will lose $357,526.88 of his $1.75 million US salary during his suspension. The veteran forward is in his first season with the Ducks after 13 years in Edmonton and two more with Dallas.

Horcoff has six goals and four assists this season while playing in 45 of the Ducks’ 46 games.

Ducks general manager Bob Murray signed Horcoff to a oneyear deal in the off-season during a shakeup of his roster. Anaheim finished one game short of the Stanley Cup Final last season, losing Game 7 of the Western Conference final at home to eventual champion Chicago.

“The Anaheim Ducks organization fully supports the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program,” Murray said in a statement. “We will also continue to support Shawn as a player and person throughout this process.”