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Leagues and Governing Bodies

NHL Finds Increased Cocaine Use Among Players, Looks To Add To Banned List

The NHL, "responding to what it says is a possible increased use of cocaine among its players, has kick-started talks" with the NHLPA to "add the drug and others like it to the list of banned substances for which the league regularly monitors," according to Rick Westhead of TSN.ca. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said, "The number of (cocaine) positives are more than they were in previous years and they're going up. I wouldn't say it's a crisis in any sense. What I'd say is drugs like cocaine are cyclical and you've hit a cycle where it's an 'in' drug again." He added, "If we're talking more than 20 guys I'd be shocked. Because we don't test in a comprehensive way, I can't say." Westhead noted NHL players are "tested at least two times per season for performance-enhancing drugs such as steroids." One-third of the urine samples collected each year are "screened more closely for drugs of abuse, such as cocaine." Those more comprehensive tests have "shown cocaine use by NHL players is on the rise." Daly said that drugs will "be a focus this season as the NHL tries to educate its players on the dangers of celebrity life." A source said that NHLPA Exec Dir Donald Fehr last season "raised the issue of cocaine use in closed-door meetings with numerous NHL clubs." Another source said that over the next two months, Fehr "will again address the subject of cocaine" with the players. The NHL and NHLPA have "been dogged recently by a number of player arrests for drug-related offences," including cocaine-related charges for Ryan Malone and Jarret Stoll (TSN.ca, 10/5). Maple Leafs prospect Viktor Loov last week told Swedish news outlet LT that there is "a lot of cocaine" in the NHL (TORONTO STAR, 10/5).

SO HAPPY TOGETHER: The CP's Stephen Whyno wrote the relationship between the NHL and NHLPA is "stronger than it has ever been." NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, "There have been times in the past where some might get the feeling that the union was working against us. Don and the union, people who work with him have been extraordinarily constructive, professional, in working on things that make sense to both of us. It doesn’t mean we’re not going to have disagreements about some things. But the places where we can work together, we are, and I think that’s great for the game." Whyno wrote Bettman and Fehr are "at the forefront of the friendlier NHL-NHLPA partnership." Bettman said that they have "known each other for more than 30 years," and there is a "high level of respect in peace time and during labour talks." He added that the union is "strong and unified." Bettman said that plans for bringing back the World Cup of Hockey "didn’t happen in past years because of turmoil in the union and the NHL 'had nobody to work with.'" A joined effort could also "help in discussions to keep NHL players in the Olympics" for '18 and beyond. The two sides also are "working together on a potential Ryder Cup-style event" for '18, and the hope is that the World Cup of Hockey "becomes an every-four-years tradition." Both Bettman and Fehr noted that working together "doesn’t mean either will hurt his people to find agreement." Fehr: "I hope we can be the most vigorous representatives of the players possible and still do that in a professional and business-like way" (CP, 10/4).

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