Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt has been suspended for the first 20 games of the season for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program, the league announced Sunday.
Schmidt will be permitted to practice during training camp, which opens Sept. 13, but will not be eligible to play during the preseason.
The Knights host Arizona on Sept. 16 at T-Mobile Arena in the preseason opener.
“We were notified that the NHL has suspended Nate Schmidt for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program,” the team said in a statement. “While we respect the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program and are committed to its success, we strongly disagree with the suspension.