Hobey Baker winner suspended for doping
Earlier today, Elliotte Friedman reported the six month suspension for Hobey Baker winner Dryden McKay. The NCAA goaltender for Minnesota State University posted a ridiculous 38-5 record with a 1.31 GAA and .931 save percentage was found to have a performance enhancing drug called Ostarine in his system, when subjected to tests for the Beijing Olympics.
McKay was facing a four year suspension if he could not adequately defend himself for intentionally using the PED. For the sake of his own career, thankfully he was able to reduce the suspension. This process entailed rigorously testing every substance McKay was ingesting and hiring a personal lawyer for his defence.
Friedman reports the Ostarine was found in a plant-based antioxidant and anti-inflammatory medication used for quicker recovery after contracting COVID, which McKay did in the height of the Omicron wave.
McKay explained himself in issuing a statement on Twitter, where he noted the small quantity of Ostarine detected and its source, but accepted the penalty and the responsibility of what goes into his body as an athlete.
McKay was able to play out the remainder of the NCAA season, and will be able to play next season as of October 11. Friedman reported there is still considerable interest in the young goaltender, who may end up playing in the AHL next season, to work his way up to the NHL.
