After Braun's recent suspension from MLB, I wondered whether the NHL players were being tested for HGH.
No current testing for HGH.
The new NHL CBA talks about a limited number of tests in the off-season. Not good enough. To truly deter cheating, testing protocols have to be comprehensive, year-round programs.
This also bugs me: The new NHL CBA agreement calls for a program committee “to study the issue of HGH testing” and whether or not to establish a testing program for HGH.
What the hell is that?
Of course HGH testing should be included.
Why is the NHL dragging its feet on this? Mark my word. As a result of this lax protocol, there will be drug scandals in the NHL. Hockey people who think that NHL players wouldn’t use PEDs have their heads buried in the sand.
You don’t use PED’s just to bulk up. You also use them to train harder, recover quicker, etc.
Crankshaft wrote:Would HGH really help an NHL player? Hockey is more about speed and agility more than just brute strength.
This seems to be the common reason why people don't think this is an issue in the NHL but see above about training and recovery. Also, the brute strength can allow you to get off one wicked slap shot (see OV).
I don't know so much about Ovie. He is not what one would call "ripped". Kinda flabby really. And while PEDS do not necessarily get you "ripped". Neither Braun, A-Rod nor Palmeiro would fit into that catagory but Bonds, McGwire, and Canseco certainly would. But I'm thinking that the NHL is certainly not leading the field on patrolling PEDS, that's for sure.
Rylan wrote:HGH would be extremely beneficial in recovery rather than physical strength for the NHL.
This is my thought as well. There's more technical ability in hockey than physical strength. You can have the biggest arms in the world and still not have a good slapshot.
I'm not going to get into any sort of libel situation here, but just from what I know (what little that is)...is this kind of thing out there? Yes, juniors and pros. Is it an epidemic? No, not to the best of my knowledge. To my knowledge, they do not test in the playoffs...ahem.
Touchy subject...I won't have more to add I don't believe...
If you think noone in the NHL is using PEDs you are fooling yourself. I would *guess* that the type of cheating that you see in cycling for quick recovery times would be more valuable for hockey players then muscle bulging steroids. I could definitly see 4th line enforcer/grinder types trying to bulk up some to get an edge that can keep them collecting NHL paychecks. I also have been highly suspect of Ovie being on something since a doctor associated with the Caps was arrested for peddling peds and his numbers fell off the cliff.
