Arizona blueliner Jarred Tinordi has been suspended 20 games for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program, the league announced on Wednesday.
“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,” the NHL said in a release. “The National Hockey League will have no further comment on this matter.”
Tinordi, 24, was acquired by the Coyotes from Montreal in January and has appeared in seven games for Arizona, averaging just under 15 minutes per night.
The former first-round pick is the second player to be suspended for performance-enhancing substances this season. Back in late January, Anaheim veteran Shawn Horcoff was also banned for 20 games for violating the program. Previously, Maple Leafs forward Carter Ashton and Buffalo center Zenon Konopka had both been suspended 20 games each for similar infractions.
With just 16 games left in the Coyotes’ season, Tinordi is done for this year and will (presumably) have his suspension carried over to the ’16-17 campaign.
UPDATE: Tinordi has released the following statement through the NHLPA...
“I am extremely disappointed that I failed a test under the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
“I did not knowingly take a banned substance.
“I understand, however, that I am responsible for what enters my body as a professional athlete and I accept the suspension. I will work hard towards my return to the ice and will learn from this frustrating setback.”
Coyotes GM Don Maloney also issued a brief statement through the club’s senior director of news content:
