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Anaheim Ducks forward Shawn Horcoff will go through a 20 game suspension, without pay, for violating terms of the NHL and NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances policy. Along with the suspension, he will be referred to the NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral for an evaluation and possible treatment per the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players.
Horcoff explained the situation that, after dealing with an injury earlier in the season he sought out a treatment that he believed would speed up his healing process and was unaware that the treatment he had used was in violation of the NHL’s rules.  He took responsibility stating that his lack of knowledge about it was no excuse.
Here is the statement released by Shawn Horcoff. pic.twitter.com/kqnUX2d4fc
— Mike Johnson (@mike_p_johnson) January 26, 2016
Given the Ducks’ current schedule, the earliest that Horcoff would return to the ice would be on March 11, though it is subject to change regarding the rescheduling of the Ducks’ game against Washington, which was postponed due to the snow storm that hit the East Coast this past weekend. The Ducks are currently fifth in the Pacific Division with 49 points. Horcoff has six goals and four assists in 45 games this season and, in his career, has 186 goals and 506 points in 994 regular-season games.
Ducks general manager Bob Murray said that the team was made aware this morning of Horcoff’s suspension and that the team respects the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. Â They will continue to support Horcoff as he goes through this process.
