ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Anaheim Ducks forward Shawn Horcoff was suspended for 20 games Tuesday for violating the terms of the NHL’s performance-enhancing substances program.
The 37-year-old Horcoff acknowledged his mistake in a statement issued by the NHL Players’ Association. He claimed 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 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.