Photo by Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Coyotes defenceman Jarred Tinordi, who was part of the package Arizona received from Montreal for All-Star Game hero John Scott, was hit with a 20-game ban Wednesday for violating the NHL's performance enhancing substances program. In a statement released through the NHLPA, Tinordi accepted responsibility for the failed test and suspension, but said he did not knowingly take a banned substance. It's unclear what drug triggered the positive test.Under the terms of the NHL's CBA, Tinordi will receive a mandatory referral to the league's substance abuse and behavioural health program for evaluation and possible treatment. He'll forfeit over $200,000 in salary as a result of the suspension, according to Sportsnet."Late yesterday afternoon, we were made aware of the situation regarding Jarred Tinordi," said Coyotes general manager Don Maloney. "The Arizona Coyotes organization fully supports the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. We will also continue to support Jarred throughout this process. We will have no further comment at this time."He's the second player to be suspended for PED use this season, joining Shawn Horcoff of the Anaheim Ducks. Horcoff will serve the final game of his suspension tonight against the Avalanche and is eligible to return Friday. With only 16 games remaining in the regular season and Arizona all but eliminated from postseason contention, Tinordi's suspension will carryover into the 2016-17 campaign. Tinordi is the fifth NHL player since 2007 to be handed a PED-related suspension, according to Yahoo. The others include Horcoff, Sean Hill, Zenon Konopka and Carter Ashton.Tinordi, a restricted free agent at the end of the season, has no points and 17 penalty minutes in 10 games. He's played 53 career NHL games over parts of four seasons with Montreal and Arizona. The Canadiens selected him in the first round of the 2010 draft.Just another reason why the Coyotes should have held on to Scott.
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