NHL adds Meldonium to banned substances list

By foxsports
Published

The NHL has added meldonium to its list of banned substances.

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed the addition in an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday. It was first reported by the Russian news agency TASS.

The change goes into effect for the upcoming season. The NHL and NHL Players' Association had to agree to add meldonium to its list of prohibited substances.

Daly says that decision was made for the same reason the World Anti-Doping Agency banned meldonium on Jan. 1.

Tennis star Maria Sharapova and swimmer Yulia Efimova have tested positive in recent months for the endurance-boosting drug. Sharapova is appealing her two-year ban.