Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Report Links Caps And Steroids, Updated

A report out of Florida has linked steroids with the Washington Capitals and Nationals. A couple was arrested in Florida with $200,000 worth if illegal steroids late last night. The story is still developing. The report is out of Lakeland Florida.

Polk County Sheriffs arrested Richard and Susan Thomas on ten counts of steroid possession with intent to distribute, ten counts of importing the drugs and one count of maintaining a residence for drug sales.

The sheriff department issued the following statement:
"Richard Thomas told Sheriff's narcotics detectives when he was asked if he had sold steroids to professional athletes, 'Name the sport - if they played it, I sold it.' Then Richard Thomas went further and specifically mentioned two professional sports teams from the Washington D.C. area whose players he had sold steroids: to the DC Nationals baseball team, and the Washington Capitals hockey team. While he stated to detectives that he sold steroids to professional athletes on those teams, he did not mention any specific players' names."

The Capitals released a statement this afternoon in response:
“We have no reason to believe there is any merit to this story, but the National Hockey League and the Washington Capitals take all such allegations seriously. Capitals players have fully participated in the NHL’s random drug testing program, and at no point has a Capitals player tested positive. In addition our players have been tested at international events, such as World Championships and Olympics. We welcome and will fully cooperate with the NHL’s investigation.”

Dick Patrick, President Washington Capitals

And the NHL has also weighed in:
“The Washington Capitals have no knowledge of any aspect of this allegation. Capitals players were subjected to no-notice testing three times in each of the past two seasons pursuant to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and there was no indication of any improper conduct or wrongdoing.

“Even though there are no specifics provided in the story and we have no reason, at this point, to believe the allegations are true, the National Hockey League takes all matters of this nature very seriously and will conduct a prompt investigation.”

Bill Daly, NHL deputy commissioner

No specific players were named in the report from either the Nats or the Caps. Donald Brashear was on Big O and Dukes radio show on WJFK 106.7FM. Tarik has a rough transcript of his reaction to the allegations on his blog.

Corey Masisak got hold of a couple of players for some comments. Both Eric Fehr and former Capital Steve Eminger have witnessed any wrong doing in the Capitals' dressing room.

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