NHL suspends Jarred Tinordi 20 games for violating drug policy
The NHL announced on Wednesday that Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jarred Tinordi has been suspended 20 games for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
“I am extremely disappointed that I failed a test under the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program,” Tinordi said in a statement via the Coyotes. “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.”
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“Late yesterday afternoon, we were made aware of the situation regarding Jarred Tinordi,” said Coyotes GM Don Maloney. “The Arizona Coyotes organization fully supports the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. We will also continue to support Jarred throughout this process. We will have no further comment at this time.”
Tinordi, an RFA this summer, becomes the second NHL player suspended this season for PED use and fifth since 2007, joining Sean Hill, Zenon Konopka, Carter Ashton and Shawn Horcoff. (Brad Ross was given a 20-game ban in Jan. 2015, but that suspension was handed down by the AHL.)
The Coyotes only have 16 regular season games remaining and likely will not make the playoffs, meaning Tinordi’s suspension, without pay, will carry over into the 2016-17 NHL season.
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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