AHL suspends David Goyette, Stanislav Berezhnoy 20 video games every for PED violations

The American Hockey League introduced 20-game suspensions for David Goyette and Stanislav Berezhnoy on Tuesday for violations of the AHL/PHPA Performance Enhancing Substance Program.

Goyette, 21, was the 61st total choice of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft by the Seattle Kraken, whereas the 22-year-old Berezhnoy was undrafted and signed as a free agent by the Chicago Blackhawks.

A local of Saint-Jerome, Que., Goyette was the Ontario Hockey League’s Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy winner because the league’s prime points-getter, scoring 40 objectives and including 77 assists for the Sudbury Wolves. In his fourth season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Goyette has three objectives and 7 assists in 47 video games this season.

A local of Novokuznetsk, Russia, Berezhnoy is in his first season in North America with the Rockford IceHogs. He is 5-9-1 this season with a 3.18 objectives towards common and save proportion of .888.

Blackhawks basic supervisor Kyle Davidson launched a press release afterward Tuesday concerning the suspension.


“We were informed last week that Stanislav tested positive for a prohibited substance under the AHL/PHPA’s Performance Enhancing Substance Program,” Davidson stated. “While Stanislav did not knowingly take a prohibited substance, we believe his positive test is a result of a supplement he was consuming at the time. Stanislav has taken full responsibility for the situation and the organization praises him for the maturity and accountability he has shown. The Blackhawks organization fully supports Stanislav and knows he will use this as an opportunity to grow as he continues his development.”

The league says that Berezhnoy has already served the primary sport of his suspension and is eligible to return on Apr. 11 towards the Grand Rapids Griffins. Goyette can return on Apr. 10 when the Firebirds meet the Ontario Reign.