Borje Salming Must Miss 8 Games
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Borje Salming was suspended for eight regular-season games by John Ziegler, president of the National Hockey League, for cocaine use that allegedly took place five years ago.
“The NHL’s policy on illegal drugs is very clear,” Ziegler said. “If you use illegal drugs, no matter how slight the contact, you will be suspended. Salming has not violated the policy for at least the last five years.”
Salming also was fined $500, the maximum allowed.
The Maple Leafs made no comment, and Salming has been advised by attorneys to do likewise.
He was originally suspended for the entire 1986-87 season, but the penalty was commuted to the first eight regular-season games.
Salming is the third player to be suspended for illegal drug use in the NHL, following former Montreal and now St. Louis defensman Ric Nattress and former New York Rangers right wing Don Murdoch.
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