NHL drug testing begins

With the announcement that 30% of NHL players are now undergoing testing, the league's drug policies are once again under scrutiny.  In November, World Anti-Doping Agency President Richard Pound sparked a firestorm with the suggestion that up to a third of all NHLers were using performance enhancing substances. 

HockeyDirt.com contacted Richard Pound requesting that he elaborate on his statement and share his thoughts on the NHL's approach to substance abuse and testing. 

In defending his allegation, Pound noted that "The drugs are not all steroids, but include stimulants, steroids, HgH (human growth hormone) and EPO (erythropoietin), with major emphasis on stimulants."  He also expressed a low opinion of the NHL's testing policy.  "There is no NHL policy.  They have announced one in June but not a single test has been performed.  The NHL players have negotiated for 30 years to avoid any testing.  If the NHL wants to lead, it should follow the World Anti-Doping Code, not have a watered-down effort like they are trying to foist off on the public and the US Congress." 

As Pound correctly pointed out, the NHL has resisted the adoption of the stringent WADA Code.  The NHL and the NHLPA have said the code is inappropriate for the league.  In testimony to the US Senate Committee on drugs in sport in November, NHLPA director Ted Saskin said:

It is our view that the list of substances prohibited in the NHL should be developed on a basis that is relevant to the particular sport and not simply by adopting the list formulated by USADA or the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) for Olympic competitions. Some of the substances prohibited on the USADA/WADA lists are not performance enhancing and should not be included as part of any testing regimen governing hockey players.
 

This was a roundabout way of saying that the NHL and its Players Association would develop its own substance list.  Indeed, the testing that NHLers began to undergo this weekend is based not on the WADA list, but on a Prohibited List to "negotiated by the NHL and NHLPA."  Notably, NHL players are not being tested for stimulants, the testing will focus on steroids and growth hormones.  The failure to include stimulants in the testing protocol is surprising in light of the rumoured use of ephedrine by NHL players. 

Pound has challenged the NHL to defend its policies.  He also suggested that HockeyDirt.com ask the NHL "what substances on the WADA list the league believes players should be able to use." HockeyDirt.com emailed both the NHL and the NHLPA seeking a response to this and other issues raised by Pound.  No response was forthcoming.

The failure to test for stimulants is a major omission.  Earlier this year recently retired NHL defenceman Stephane Quintal said "he believes 40 per cent of the players he's encountered have used stimulants."  Add to this the fact that a 2004 study of stimulant use among US college hockey players found that:

More than half (58%) of the 122 college hockey players who completed the survey reported past or present use of the specific stimulants. Almost half (46%) reported pseudoephedrine use to enhance performance, including 24% who indicated current use, and 38% reported ephedrine use, including 11% who admitted current use. Stimulant users had good knowledge about the potential side effects of ephedrine, including sudden death, hypertension, and insomnia. Nearly all (92%) stimulant users were aware of the current NCAA ban of ephedrine. Over 33% stated they would use a banned substance if it would help them get to the National Hockey League.

Richard Pound has raised a number of questions about the NHL testing policy.  He is critical of the lack of off-season testing.  In addition, while the NHL tests are random, they are not no-notice tests. Although individual players did not know whether they would be tested, they did have advance knowledge of the timing of the testing procedures.

The start of random testing is a positive move, but much more needs to be done if the NHL wants to eradicate any suspicion that its players are using performance enhancing substances.  Richard Pound's allegations were sensational and perhaps even irresponsible given his lack of evidence.  Nonetheless, the failure to test for stimulants, to adopt the WADA Code, to test in the offseason and to carry out the tests on a random, no-notice basis leave the league wide open for future criticism by Pound and others. 

Comments

[dick pound]

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