Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jarred Tinordi has been suspended 20 games, without pay, for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program, the league announced Wednesday.
The suspension carries a mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health for evaluation and possible treatment, as per the collective bargaining agreement.
Jarred Tinordi is only the 4th player to be suspended under the NHL’s PED rules. Shawn Horcoff, Zenon Konopka, Sean Hill the others.
— Travis Hughes (@TravisSBN) March 9, 2016
Tinordi released the following statement through the NHL Players' Association:
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 general manager Don Maloney expressed his support for the decision, and for Tinordi.
"Late (Tuesday) afternoon, we were made aware of the situation regarding Jarred Tinordi," Maloney said in a statement. "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 appeared in seven games for the Coyotes after being acquired from the Montreal Canadiens in the John Scott trade.
The positive sample was retrieved while Tinordi was with Montreal, the Coyotes say, according to multiple reports.
