Nate Schmidt
Nate Schmidt was handed a 20-game ban by the NHL. In this picture, Schmidt, #88 of the Vegas Golden Knights, handles the puck against the Washington Capitals in Game Two of the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Final at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, May 30, 2018. Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Nate Schmidt received the backing of his team, the Vegas Golden Knights, after he was banned for 20 games without pay by the National Hockey League (NHL) for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

The ice hockey defenseman was found to have a banned performance enhancing substance in his system during a recent test, which triggered the ban that will see him sidelined until Nov. 18. Schmidt was extremely disappointed with the punishment meted out to him by the NHL and immediately released a statement suggesting the quantity found was “of a microscopic amount” that it could not have benefited his performance in any way.

The 27-year-old was certain he did not ingest the performance enhancing substance and believes it was consistent with “environmental contamination”. He would be allowed to train with the team but cannot play any of their pre-season games and would only return against the Edmonton Oilers Nov. 18.

"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,” Schmidt said via a statement.

“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,” he added.

The defenseman got the full support of his franchise, who made it clear they would back their player after disagreeing with the NHL over the ban. They were certain the presence of the banned substance was “accidental.”

“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,” the Golden Knights issued a statement Sunday.

“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,” the franchise said, adding: “Nate is an honest person with high moral character and great integrity. We will stand by him and support him during this time.”

Nate’s 20-game ban without pay will see him miss out on over $480,000, according to senior hockey reporter Frank Seravalli. Schmidt would be missed as he was one of the Golden Knights’ best players when they created history last season by making the Stanley Cup Finals in their first year as a team.

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