1st NHLer tests positive

[SICKOFITALL]

Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Bryan Berard has the dubious honour of being the first NHLer to test positive for doping, though the test had nothing to do with the league itself.

Berard tested positive in November for the banned substance 19-norandrosterone, an anabolic agent found in a supplement he apparently took last spring, sources told The Canadian Press on Thursday.

Berard, who was under consideration for the U.S. Olympic team, took the drug test on Nov. 12 as part of the United States Anti-Doping Agency's out-of-competition testing program.

The drug test is not related to the NHL's new anti-doping program under its collective bargaining agreement, which began on Sunday.

Under the NHL's new drug policy, a first-time offender will face a 20-game suspension, a second-time offender will get 60 games and a third time will result in a permanent ban.

Berard, who played for the U.S. team at the 1998 Olympics, was on the preliminary roster for the American Olympics team but was not selected for this year's Torino Winter Games squad.

Though the NHL and NHL's Players Association had no comment Thursday night about Berard's test, it's not believed the positive result will affect his NHL status. It will mean the 28-year-old will be banned for two years from international events like the Olympics and world championships.

Sources told The Canadian Press Thursday night that after failing the November test, Berard later voluntarily took two tests administered by the NHL and NHLPA and passed both.

In 2004, Berard won the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is given to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Berard missed the entire 2000-01 season recovering from an eye injury that many thought would be the end of his career. Instead, Berard worked his way back to the NHL in 2001-02 with the Rangers.

Despite damaged vision in his right eye, he has continued to play at hockey's highest level.

In 550 NHL games, he has scored 68 goals and 225 points while playing for Columbus, Toronto, New York Rangers, Boston, Chicago and the New York Islanders.

[Builder101]

Ugh its moved on to hockey now :S

[Caferacer]

Originally Posted by Builder101

Ugh its moved on to hockey now :S

It's always been in hockey. They just don't test for well, most everything.

[SICKOFITALL]

Remember John Kordic? I remember stories of him shooting coke and juice in the same needle!

[Caferacer]

Originally Posted by SICKOFITALL

Remember John Kordic? I remember stories of him shooting coke and juice in the same needle!

Hey man, that will get you HUGE!

Haha

[apewrench]

how bout bob probert!!! NHL don't test for ****. well, until now.

[kovalaybolt17]

bob probert wasnt on roids you douche. 99% of all media allegations are false, even interviewed players say they have only seen like the rare nobody player use roids.. most players have never played with anyone that took roids. there is no need to get huge for hockey tis a finess game and only plugs would take steroids.

[tribal]

Originally Posted by kovalaybolt17

bob probert wasnt on roids you douche.

You're right... he was on cocaine... and lots of it.

[apewrench]

easy tough guy. i never said probert was on "roids". i guess i have to break it down "Barney Style" for you. what i was getting at was his coke habit. which, in case you didn't know, is ALSO an illegal drug. which, as with steriods, can be tested for by utilizing drug tests. and douche? come on, i havn't been called that since i was in grade school. what are you gonna call me next, glue? mr rubber

[kovalaybolt17]

ya you piece of glue

[t_dot_porkchop]

Originally Posted by kovalaybolt17

bob probert wasnt on roids you douche. 99% of all media allegations are false, even interviewed players say they have only seen like the rare nobody player use roids.. most players have never played with anyone that took roids. there is no need to get huge for hockey tis a finess game and only plugs would take steroids.

there are lots of steroids....not all for getting huge and ripped. hockey is like any other sport with respect to juice. that means more players than you would like to believe use them.