Maple Leafs’ Carter Ashton Blames Asthma Inhaler For Suspension
By Josh Sanchez
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Carter Ashton has been suspended 20 games after testing positive for a banned substance, but he is blaming his asthma inhaler.
On Thursday, the NHL suspended Toronto Maple Leafs forward Carter Ashton 20 games for violating the NHL/NHL Players’ Association performance enhancing substance program.
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Ashton’s suspension — which will cost the former first-round pick $169,185 — was triggered by a positive test for the banned substance clenbuterol.
Carter Ashton released a statement following the announcement of his suspension and he blames asthma medication for the positive test. Ashton says he used the medication briefly during training camp.
“I now recognize that I ingested Clenbuterol, a prohibited substance, through the inhaler. However, at no time was I seeking to gain an athletic advantage or to knowingly violate the terms of the program. I used the inhaler in response to exercise-induced asthma, a condition that my doctor with the Toronto Maple Leafs has since diagnosed and he has prescribed me with an inhaler,” the statement read.
“As a professional hockey player, I recognize that I am responsible for what I put into my body, and I will not appeal my suspension.”
The problem for Ashton is that clenbuterol is not approved for human use in either the United States or Canada, so there is no telling where he got his hands on his medication.
In the meantime, Ashton will be referred to the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health where he could receive treatment.
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