AppGuy04
January 20th, 2006, 11:37 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2299474
The United States Anti-Doping Agency announced Friday that Blue Jackets defenseman Bryan Berard has accepted a two-year ban from internation play after he tested positive for 19-norandrosterone.
The test was part of USADA's out-of-competition testing program conducted Nov. 12 after Berard was named to USA Hockey's preliminary roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. Berard did not make the final roster. The suspension began Jan. 3, the day Berard accepted a provisional suspension, USADA said. The suspension means Berard, a defenseman, cannot participate in the Olympics or IIHF world championships. USADA said Berard agreed to participate in anti-drug publicity efforts.
"Last summer, I made a mistake that has resulted in this suspension and while unintentional, I take full responsibility," Berard said in a statement released by the Blue Jackets. "I became aware of the problem after the fact, and for that, I am disappointed in myself. I have learned a difficult, but valuable lesson and want to let everyone know that this is something that will never happen again."
According to The Canadian Press, Berard took a supplement last spring that contained the banned substance. Berard was also expected to talk to the media Friday after the Blue Jackets' practice.
Berard will not face discipline from the league since the test was not performed under its program. The collective bargaining agreement states that a player can only be suspended if he fails a test "administered by the league and union."
"While today's announcement relating to Bryan Berard certainly is disappointing, it does nothing to change the fact that the use of steroids is not a pervasive problem facing the National Hockey League," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. "Mr. Berard is one of hundreds of players who, as a result of being identified as potential Olympic candidates, have been subject to random testing for the past several months."
Sources also told The Canadian Press that after Berard failed the November test, he voluntarily took two tests administered by the NHL and NHL Players' Union and passed both.
"It is disappointing to learn that Bryan Berard has tested positive for a banned substance," NHLPA executive director Ted Saskin said in a statement. "I have spoken with Bryan and he expressed great remorse. While today's announcement is regrettable, it is important to remember that hundreds of NHL players have been tested over the years as part of their participation in the Nagano, Salt Lake City and the upcoming Turin Olympics, in addition to many other International hockey competitions, and this is the first positive test for a banned substance.
"I remain confident that this is an isolated occurrence in our sport, and our new NHL/NHLPA testing program will demonstrate to our fans that the Players' Association and the League are focused on ensuring that our sport is free of performance enhancing substances."
The NHL began testing for performance-enhancing drugs last week for the first time after the league and the players' association came up with a plan in the new collective bargaining agreement that ended the season-long lockout.
According to the NHL testing plan, a first-time offender would be suspended for 20 games. A second positive test would result in a 60-game ban, while a three-time offender would be kicked out permanently.
Berard was a member of the U.S. Olympic team in 1998 but wasn't selected in 2002.
He signed a two-year contract with Columbus in August after playing nine seasons for the Canadiens, the Rangers, Bruins, Blackhawks and Islanders.
In 550 NHL games, the 28-year-old defenseman has 68 goals and 225 assists.
Berard was the NHL rookie of the year in 1997 with the Islanders and won the Masterton Trophy in 2004 for best exemplifying the qualities of hockey. He was severely injured in March 2000 when he was hit in the eye with a stick. He missed the rest of that season and the following one and still has reduced vision in the eye.
In the 2003-04 season, Berard had 13 goals and 34 assists with Chicago, giving him more points than any other Western Conference defenseman.
The Associated Press and SportsTicker contributed to this report.
The United States Anti-Doping Agency announced Friday that Blue Jackets defenseman Bryan Berard has accepted a two-year ban from internation play after he tested positive for 19-norandrosterone.
The test was part of USADA's out-of-competition testing program conducted Nov. 12 after Berard was named to USA Hockey's preliminary roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. Berard did not make the final roster. The suspension began Jan. 3, the day Berard accepted a provisional suspension, USADA said. The suspension means Berard, a defenseman, cannot participate in the Olympics or IIHF world championships. USADA said Berard agreed to participate in anti-drug publicity efforts.
"Last summer, I made a mistake that has resulted in this suspension and while unintentional, I take full responsibility," Berard said in a statement released by the Blue Jackets. "I became aware of the problem after the fact, and for that, I am disappointed in myself. I have learned a difficult, but valuable lesson and want to let everyone know that this is something that will never happen again."
According to The Canadian Press, Berard took a supplement last spring that contained the banned substance. Berard was also expected to talk to the media Friday after the Blue Jackets' practice.
Berard will not face discipline from the league since the test was not performed under its program. The collective bargaining agreement states that a player can only be suspended if he fails a test "administered by the league and union."
"While today's announcement relating to Bryan Berard certainly is disappointing, it does nothing to change the fact that the use of steroids is not a pervasive problem facing the National Hockey League," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement. "Mr. Berard is one of hundreds of players who, as a result of being identified as potential Olympic candidates, have been subject to random testing for the past several months."
Sources also told The Canadian Press that after Berard failed the November test, he voluntarily took two tests administered by the NHL and NHL Players' Union and passed both.
"It is disappointing to learn that Bryan Berard has tested positive for a banned substance," NHLPA executive director Ted Saskin said in a statement. "I have spoken with Bryan and he expressed great remorse. While today's announcement is regrettable, it is important to remember that hundreds of NHL players have been tested over the years as part of their participation in the Nagano, Salt Lake City and the upcoming Turin Olympics, in addition to many other International hockey competitions, and this is the first positive test for a banned substance.
"I remain confident that this is an isolated occurrence in our sport, and our new NHL/NHLPA testing program will demonstrate to our fans that the Players' Association and the League are focused on ensuring that our sport is free of performance enhancing substances."
The NHL began testing for performance-enhancing drugs last week for the first time after the league and the players' association came up with a plan in the new collective bargaining agreement that ended the season-long lockout.
According to the NHL testing plan, a first-time offender would be suspended for 20 games. A second positive test would result in a 60-game ban, while a three-time offender would be kicked out permanently.
Berard was a member of the U.S. Olympic team in 1998 but wasn't selected in 2002.
He signed a two-year contract with Columbus in August after playing nine seasons for the Canadiens, the Rangers, Bruins, Blackhawks and Islanders.
In 550 NHL games, the 28-year-old defenseman has 68 goals and 225 assists.
Berard was the NHL rookie of the year in 1997 with the Islanders and won the Masterton Trophy in 2004 for best exemplifying the qualities of hockey. He was severely injured in March 2000 when he was hit in the eye with a stick. He missed the rest of that season and the following one and still has reduced vision in the eye.
In the 2003-04 season, Berard had 13 goals and 34 assists with Chicago, giving him more points than any other Western Conference defenseman.
The Associated Press and SportsTicker contributed to this report.