The NHL has suspended veteran forward Shawn Horcoff of the Anaheim Ducks for 20 games for violating the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. The 37-year-old forward will also have to forfeit $357,536.88 of his annual salary as a result of this suspension.
Horcoff has just 10 points in 45 games in his first season with the Ducks. He is currently playing on a one-year, $1.75 million contract.
Horcoff issued the following statement (via Sirius/XM NHL Network):
"While recovering from an injury I suffered this past fall, I tried a treatment that I believed would help speed up the healing process.
Although I was unaware that this treatment was not permitted under NHL rules, that is no excuse whatsoever. 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.
Throughout my entire career, I have felt genuinely blessed and honored to play the great game of hockey, and I regret the impact that this may have on my team and our fans. I look forward to the day I return to the ice for the playoff push."
In addition to the 20-game ban and monetary penalty, the league also has to mandatorily refer Horcoff to the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral health for evaluation and potential treatment, per the collective bargaining agreement.
Ducks GM Bob Murray released the following statement in response to the suspension:
"This morning, we were made aware of the situation regarding Shawn Horcoff. The Anaheim Ducks organization fully supports the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. We will also continue to support Shawn as a player and person throughout this process. We will have no further comment at this time."
Horcoff is just six games shy of reaching 1,000 for his NHL career, which has spanned 15 seasons. Twelve of those seasons were spent with the Edmonton Oilers which drafted Horcoff 99th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He put up 447 of his 506 career points with that franchise and also served as its captain.
Prior to joining the Ducks this offseason, Horcoff played the previous two seasons with the Dallas Stars.
