Aaron Ekblad releases a statement, admits to using performance enhancing drugs

UPDATE: Ekblad has released a statement confirming accidental use of a performance enhancing substance (PED) in order to recover from an injury.

From Ekblad courtesy of NHL insider Elliotte Friedman:

Read below for our earlier report on this developing story, published as events occurred.

This just in, the NHL has suspended Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad for 20 games for violating the terms of its Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

From the NHL:

NEW YORK (March 10, 2025) – Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended for 20 games, without pay, for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.



Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the suspension is accompanied by mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health for evaluation and possible treatment.



The National Hockey League will have no further comment on this matter.

We can only assume that Ekblad was found to have performing enhancing drugs (PEDs) in his system in order to justify such a stiff punishment. More to come on this developing story.