A Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman has been suspended for over a dozen games after officials said he violated the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.The NHL said Wednesday that defenseman Caleb Jones will be suspended without pay for 20 games. “Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program for evaluation and possible treatment,” the NHL said. Jones, 28, who signed a two-year, $1.8-million contract with the Penguins prior to this season, issued a statement following the suspension. “I have been informed of my positive test result and suspension under the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program,” Jones said. “At the time of the test, I was receiving an exosome therapy for a documented injury from an outside provider. I believe that my positive test was related to a contaminated substance associated with that treatment.”He continued, saying,”While I did not use the prohibited substance intentionally or for performance enhancement, I understand that players are responsible for everything that enters their body and accept the discipline imposed by the program. I’m sorry to have let down my teammates, the Penguins organization, and our fans.”The Penguins organization said in its own statement that Jones has been forthcoming with the organization as to how he believes the positive test occurred. They said he takes “full responsibility for his actions, despite his being unaware that what he consumed was a prohibited substance at the time.”The NHL said no further comment on the situation will be made. Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.

PITTSBURGH —

A Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman has been suspended for over a dozen games after officials said he violated the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

The NHL said Wednesday that defenseman Caleb Jones will be suspended without pay for 20 games.

“Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program for evaluation and possible treatment,” the NHL said.

Jones, 28, who signed a two-year, $1.8-million contract with the Penguins prior to this season, issued a statement following the suspension.

“I have been informed of my positive test result and suspension under the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program,” Jones said. “At the time of the test, I was receiving an exosome therapy for a documented injury from an outside provider. I believe that my positive test was related to a contaminated substance associated with that treatment.”

He continued, saying,”While I did not use the prohibited substance intentionally or for performance enhancement, I understand that players are responsible for everything that enters their body and accept the discipline imposed by the program. I’m sorry to have let down my teammates, the Penguins organization, and our fans.”

The Penguins organization said in its own statement that Jones has been forthcoming with the organization as to how he believes the positive test occurred. They said he takes “full responsibility for his actions, despite his being unaware that what he consumed was a prohibited substance at the time.”

The NHL said no further comment on the situation will be made.

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