Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

3 KHL players suspended after testing positive for banned substances

Montreal Canadiens v Ottawa Senators

OTTAWA - SEPTEMBER 19: Derek Smith #51 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason game at Scotiabank Place on September 19, 2009 in Ottawa, Canada. The Ottawa Senators defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-1. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The International Ice Hockey Federation has announced that three KHL players have been suspended after testing positive for banned substances.

Here’s an excerpt from the KHL’s website:

The IIHF has informed the KHL that three players - forward Danis Zaripov (then with Metallurg Magnitogorsk), defenseman Andrei Konev (Admiral Vladivostok) and defenseman Derek Smith (Medvescak Zagreb) - have tested positive for banned substances. Derek Smith tested positive for a category S6.а stimulant. Andrei Konev tested positive for a category S6.b stimulant. Danis Zaripov tested positive for a category S6.b stimulant plus category S5 diuretics and masking agents.

Zapirov, who was part of Team Russia at the 2010 Olympic Games, has been banned from suiting up in “competitive hockey” until May 22, 2019. Konev will be unable to play until Nov. 19, 2017, while Smith, who is Canadian, will be suspended until Sep. 2, 2018.

Smith, 32, played in 94 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames between 2009-10 and 2013-14.