Slovenian Hockey Player Žiga Jeglič Suspended For Doping

20 Feb 2018Steven Ellis»

Slovenia will be without one of their best players for the remainder of the tournament after veteran forward Žiga Jeglič was suspended for the remainder of the Olympics for doping.

Jeglič, playing in his second Olympic tournament, tested positive for fenoterol, a drug used for asthma.

Jeglič scored the game-winning goal against Slovakia in the final game of the round robin, their second win of the tournament. Jeglič had four points at the 2014 Olympic tournament, scoring an additional four points in the qualifying tournament the year prior.

Jeglič has been instrumental in Slovenia's success over the years, posting nine points in 25 games in the top division of the World Championships.

The Kranj, Slovenia native is the third player to be caught for doping at the Olympics, joining Japanese speed skater Kei Saito and Russian curler Alexander Kruszelnicki. This comes in the wake of a Russian scandal that prevents players from representing the country of Russia at the Olympics.

In a translated press release, Jeglič said "I overlooked the difference between comparable medicines that are allowed, which would allow me to use it in the event of respiratory problems even during the Olympic Games. Due to my negligence, I apologize to all those who are affected and take further anti-doping procedures."

The news comes just minutes before Slovenia was set to meet up with Norway in the second quarter-final match of the Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

Follow me on Twitter, @StevenEllisNHL.