Top Panthers Defenseman Earns Shocking 20-Game Ban for Violation of NHL Rules
The Florida Panthers have lost defenseman Aaron Ekblad for the next 20 games after he reportedly violated the NHL's rules of Performance Enhancing Substances.
There is major breaking news out of the National Hockey League, as Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been slapped with a 20-game ban for an alleged violation of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
Ekblad has 33 points (3G, 30A) in 56 games for the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers so far this year.
Shortly after the news of the suspension broke, Ekblad released the following statement explaining his side of things.
He made no effort to push back against the allegations, instead admitting that he made a mistake without doing his due diligence with the team medical staff:
The news that I had failed a random drug test was a shock. Ultimately, I made a mistake by taking something to help me recover from recent injuries without first checking with proper medical and team personnel.
I have let my teammates down, the Panthers organization and our great fans down.
For that, I am truly sorry. I have accepted responsibility for my mistake and will be fully prepared to return to my team when my suspension is over. I have learned a hard lesson and cannot wait to be back with my teammates.
The Panthers have 18 games remaining in their schedule, meaning that Ekblad won't be eligible to return to the lineup until Game 3 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
This puts a massive damper in Florida's chances to repeat as Atlantic Division Champions as both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs are right on their heels.
For his career, Ekblad has 380 points in 732 games (118G, 262A) while spending his entire 11-year career with the Panthers; he was drafted first overall in 2014 and is set to be free agent at the end of the season.
