Schmidt suspended 20 games for violating PED program
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Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt has been suspended without pay for the first 20 games of the 2018-19 season for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA performance-enhancing substances program, the league announced Sunday.
Schmidt is eligible to take part in Golden Knights training camp, but he isn't allowed to suit up in any preseason games.
He'll also be forfeiting a major chunk of his salary.
Nate Schmidt will lose approximately $482,258.28 in pay during his 20-game suspension for violation NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program. He is first eligible to return on Nov. 18 in Edmonton.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 2, 2018
In Vegas' inaugural season, Schmidt starred on the blue line, racking up five goals and 31 assists in over 22 minutes per night.