Asuchak

Former American Spencer Asuchak was handed an 8-game suspension yesterday for violating the CHL's anti-doping policy.

"In reviewing this matter, we are completely satisfied that the player used a supplement which he had purchased over the counter at a local retail outlet and had no knowledge that it contained a prohibited stimulant under our national CHL anti-doping policy," WHL commissioner Ron Robison said in a statement.

Methylhexaneamine is not an ingredient in medications licensed by Health Canada but is in some nutritional supplements that athletes take to build muscle or to replenish themselves after a workout.

"This violation once again underscores the potential dangers of supplement use," said Paul Melia, president and CEO of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport. "Athletes must exercise extreme caution when considering the use of supplements, as ultimately they are responsible for what substances are in the products they consume."  (Canadian Press via Yahoo)

From Drinnan:

Asuchak, a 19-year-old forward, told the Prince George Citizen that he used Jack3d over the summer and Razor 8 in December. According to Jason Peters of the Citizen, Asuchak “mixed them with water prior to workout sessions to give himself an energy boost.“

Asuchak is a bit of a fitness/workout guy. He takes great pride in his workouts and his physique. Yes, he has heard the whispers, that he must be on something steroidish. But when he was selected for testing on Dec. 17 he wasn’t at all concerned. Why not? Because he knew that the four or five different pre-workout supplements he was using were fine. They all had checked out against the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances.

In the meantime, Asuchak didn’t even know what methylhexaneamine was or what its use is. Rather, I’m told, he was using supplements for creatine, caffeine, beta alinine and arginine -- creatine for building muscle, arginine for the pump, and caffeine for the energy.

Asuchak knew what was coming when he heard on Jan. 14 that two OHL players -- Alexander Aleardi of the Plymouth Whalers and Ryan O’Connor of the Saginaw Spirit -- had tested positive after using Jack3d and had been suspended. Asuchak knew immediately that his test would be positive.  (Taking Note--click on it, it's a very interesting read)

It's obvious from the league's standpoint there was no intent on the part of Asuchak, which is the main point Drinnan makes.  At the same time, if the policy is in place, athletes have to be very sure they check what they are putting into their bodies.