Sports

Russia forward Zaripov suspended for doping in KHL

July 25, 2017
Russian forward Danis Zaripov, a three-time world champion, has been suspended for two years after failing a doping test in the KHL.
Russian forward Danis Zaripov, a three-time world champion, has been suspended for two years after failing a doping test in the KHL.

MOSCOW — Russian forward Danis Zaripov, a three-time world champion, has been suspended for two years after he failed a doping test last season in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), according to a media report on Tuesday.

The R-Sport news agency quoted KHL as saying that the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) had decided to suspend Zaripov until May 22, 2019, after one of his samples was found to contain banned stimulants, as well as substances prohibited as diuretics and masking agents.

Zaripov's suspension is a rare case of a doping ban among high-profile Russian national hockey players and comes as the country says it has taken measures to curb the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The Russian government this month adopted a sweeping plan aimed at curbing doping, while President Vladimir Putin barred dopers and their coaches from receiving Kremlin grants.

The 36-year-old Zaripov, who had 16 goals and 29 assists in 56 games with runners-up Metallurg Magnitogorsk last season, won three World Championships with Russia and represented the country at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where the team lost to Canada in the quarterfinals.

"All those who violate (anti-doping regulations) must be punished, regardless of their names and titles," R-Sport quoted Russian sports minister Pavel Kolobkov as saying following Zaripov's suspension.

The KHL and IIHF could not be immediately reached for comment when contacted by Reuters on Tuesday. Russia's athletics federation, Paralympic committee and national anti-doping agency RUSADA remain suspended over reports of widespread doping.

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Meanwhile, in the NHL, Sabres winger Kyle Okposo said he is fully healthy after a concussion led to sleeping trouble, significant weight loss and a trip to intensive care last March. Okposo missed the final few weeks of Buffalo's season with a previously undisclosed illness. Okposo played in a 4-on-4 summer league game in Minnesota with other NHL players last week and reported feeling great. New general manager Jason Botterill said Okposo was on track to be ready for training camp.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins agreed to terms with defenseman Brian Dumoulin on a six-year contract Monday to avoid salary arbitration. The deal begins with the 2017-18 season and runs through 2022-23, with an average annual value of $4.1 million, the team announced. "We're happy it's settled," Dumoulin's agent, Lewis Gross, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette by phone on Monday morning after the deal was announced.

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The Nashville Predators signed forward Austin Watson to a three-year, $3.3 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. The hearing was scheduled for Monday in Toronto. The deal will pay Watson $1 million in 2017-18, $1.1 million in 2018-19 and $1.2 million in 2019-20, the team announced.

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The Winnipeg Jets agreed to terms with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck on a one-year, $2.25 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. The two sides were scheduled to have an arbitration hearing on Aug. 1.

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The Ottawa Senators signed defenseman Johnny Oduya to a one-year, $1 million contract, the team announced. The contract contains bonuses that could push its value to $2.25 million. Oduya could make an additional $250,000 bonus for each of the following: top five in ice time among defensemen, top three in ice time among defensemen, play in at least 41 games, play in at least 65 games and qualify for the playoffs.

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The New York Islanders agreed to terms with defenseman Adam Pelech on a four-year contract. The deal has an average annual value of $1.6 million, according to Newsday. Pelech, 22, scored 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 44 games last season with the Islanders during his rookie campaign. — Reuters


July 25, 2017
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