Nate Schmidt was suspended today by the NHL for 20 games.
According to the league, the Vegas defender violated the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.
The Golden Knights issued this statement:
We were notified that the NHL has suspended Nate Schmidt for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. While we respect the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program and are committed to its success, we strongly disagree with the suspension.
We firmly believe that the presence of a trace of the banned substance was accidental and unintentional. Based on our conversations with Nate, analysis from independent medical experts and sworn testimony from the parties involved, we believe it is clear Nate was not able to reasonably ascertain how the substance entered his body.
Nate is an honest person with high moral character and great integrity. We will stand by him and support him during this time.
Schmidt released his own statement through the NHLPA:
I am extremely disappointed to learn that I have been suspended for a violation of the NHL/ NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. The fact that I'm issuing this statement is surreal to me as I have only used supplements provided by my NHL team and I have always been extremely careful about what I put into my body. Throughout my playing career I have been tested numerous times, including twice last season, and I have never before tested positive. It was utterly shocking to be informed that I tested positive for a microscopic amount of a tainted substance. Not only did I not intentionally take a banned substance, I could not have received any performance enhancement benefit from the trace amount that inadvertently got into my system at a level that was far too small to have any effect. This low amount was consistent with environmental contamination that I could not possibly have prevented.
One of the experts in environmental contamination who testified on my behalf at the Appeal hearing described the amount of the substance found in my system - 7 billionths of a milligram/mL - as the equivalent of a pinch of salt in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Another expert analyzed a sample of my hair and concluded there was no evidence of intentional use. The Vegas Golden Knights track players' strength and performance metrics and my results have remained constant over the past year.
While I support having a strong Performance Enhancing Substances Program in place for our sport, it is difficult to accept this suspension. I understand that I will miss these games, but I do not agree with the suspension and I will not accept being labelled a cheater.
I have worked my whole life to become an NHL player, and I'm extremely proud to be a player in the NHL. I have never cut corners in order to achieve this goal. I am grateful for the support of the entire Golden Knights organization and I can't put into words how disappointed I am that I will not be on the ice at the beginning of the season to help my teammates work towards another Stanley Cup run.
I will make no further comment on this matter at this time.
Schmidt's agent Matt Keator also weighed in:
Assuming the suspension stands as is -- and Schmidt has already lost an appeal -- this is a potentially crippling blow to the Knights' Western Conference title defense. Schmidt had emerged as the team's top defenseman last season and was used regularly in all situations. There is no clear replacement for his minutes.
At this point, Vegas is also missing Shea Theodore; the RFA remains unsigned. If the season were to start now, pairings might look like this:
Brayden McNabb-Deryk Engelland
Nick Holden-Colin Miller
Jon Merrill-Brad Hunt
Zach Whitecloud, Jake Bischoff, Erik Brannstrom, and Griffin Reinhart would compete to round out the blueline.
Beyond the ice, this suspension marks an ugly turn to the Golden Knights' fairy tale run last season. Whether you believe in Schmidt's statement or not, the optics are indisputably poor.
As for Schmidt himself, this suspension will also change some of the narrative around the fan and media favorite. The blueliner's earning potential may also be affected; he was set to become a UFA after this season.
Schmidt will be allowed to participate in training camp. He is scheduled to make his regular season debut on November 18th in Edmonton.
According to
Article 47 of the CBA, from the start of the regular season, he will be prohibited from participating in all club activities, including meetings and practices, until 10 days prior to the conclusion of his suspension. That's November 16th against St. Louis. So we shouldn't see Schmidt around the team until November 6th.
More on this story as news breaks.
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