Toronto Maple Leafs forward Carter Ashton has been suspended for 20 games after being found in violation of the National Hockey League's drug policy, an infraction he has said is the result of a mistaken assumption involving asthma medication.
The NHL announced the punishment on Thursday. Ashton will be suspended without pay, meaning he will forfeit US$169,185 in salary.
In a separate release, issued through the NHL Players' Association, Ashton said he used an asthma inhaler in August - an inhaler borrowed from 'one of the other athletes I was training with' - to relieve the attack.
'I kept this inhaler and used it a second time early in the training camp upon experiencing another asthma episode,' Ashton said in the release. 'Unfortunately, I incorrectly assumed that there were no problems associated with the use of this inhaler and I used it without checking to see whether its contents were permissible under the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.'
He said he ingested Clenbuterol, a banned substance contained in the medication.
'However, at no time was I seeking to gain an athletic advantage or to knowingly violate the terms of the program,' Ashton said in the release. 'I used the inhaler in response to exercise-induced asthma, a condition that my doctor with the Toronto Maple Leafs has since diagnosed and he has prescribed me with an inhaler.'
He said he does not plan to appeal the suspension.
'While I am extremely disappointed that I have let my teammates, our fans and the Maple Leafs organization down, I will work very hard during my suspension to stay in game shape so that I can help out the team when I am able to return,' he said.
Post By http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/11/06/maple-leafs-carter-ashton-suspended-20-games-for-violating-leagues-drug-policy/
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