Capitals Strike Back on Steroid Report
Wednesday afternoon, the NHL and the Washington Capitals issued statements in response to allegations made Tuesday night by a man arrested for possession of steroids that he had sold performance-enhancing drugs to members of the Capitals and Washington Nationals.
First, here's NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly (pictured above right): "The Washington Capitals have no knowledge of any aspect of this allegation. Capitals players were subjected to no-notice testing three times in each of the past two seasons pursuant to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and there was no indication of any improper conduct or wrongdoing. Even though there are no specifics provided in the story and we have no reason, at this point, to believe the allegations are true, the National Hockey League takes all matters of this nature very seriously and will conduct a prompt investigation."
And here's Washington Capitals President, Dick Patrick (above left): "We have no reason to believe there is any merit to this story, but the National Hockey League and the Washington Capitals take all such allegations seriously. Capitals players have fully participated in the NHL's random drug testing program, and at no point has a Capitals player tested positive. In addition our players have been tested at international events, such as World Championships and Olympics. We welcome and will fully cooperate with the NHL's investigation."
Meanwhile, in separate interviews, members of the team have been stepping forward to deny the allegations.
Back in Washington, Tarik El Bashir of the Washington Post got Washington's NHLPA rep, Brooks Laich, on the record to talk about the story, while also talking to ex-Caps defenseman Steve Eminger. Both denied having any knowledge that any member of the team had ever used steroids or any other performance-enhancing drug, while also stressing that the team had been subject to regular testing -- three times per year -- for some time now. The word was much the same from Capitals winger Eric Fehr, who went on the record with Corey Masisack of the Washington Times.
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