U.S. Hockey Player Is Disqualified : Millen Suspended for Drug Use; Canadian Fails Test

Team USA center Corey Millen, who tested positive for a banned drug, was disqualified from the World Hockey Championships today, the International Ice Hockey Federation said.

Millen, who played for HC Ambri-Piotta of Switzerland this season, also was suspended for 18 months from world and international competition, the IIHF said in a statement.

Also, according to IIHF rules, the scores of the U.S. games against Czechoslovakia (5-4) and Canada (8-2) will be recorded as 5-0 and 8-0 losses, respectively.

The IIHF did not disclose the name of the banned drug taken by Millen.

Canadian Tests Positive

Meanwhile, defenseman Randy Carlyle of Team Canada also tested positive for a banned drug, the IIHF said.

Carlyle, who plays in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets and was once voted the league’s top defenseman, was tested after Canada’s victory Wednesday over West Germany.

The federation would not identify the banned substance and Canadian team officials said they hadn’t been told either.

Millen, 24, a former University of Minnesota player, was missing from the U.S. lineup when the Americans defeated West Germany, 7-4, today for their first victory after losing their first four games. Goals by David Christian, Pat Lafontaine and Tom O’Regan led the U.S. effort.

The Americans failed to make the medal round.

The IIHF statement said Millen was tested following games against Canada on April 18 and against Czechoslovakia April 19.

Took Local Anesthetic

At the doping tests, Millen informed the doping control officials that he had been given local anesthetic for a laceration around the eye.

Tests conducted on the A sample showed the presence of a banned substance, the statement said.

American team officials asked for a B test in the presence of U.S. team physician Dr. George Nagobads. The test confirmed the findings of the A sample, the statement said.

Walter Bush, president of the Amateur Hockey Assn. of the U.S., said:

“Our officials support the innocence of Corey Millen and have recommended that further tests be carried out to see if the player has a hereditary irregularity in his testosterone makeup through a genetic abnormality.”

Denies Use of Drugs

Millen, who was one of Team USA’s top scorers with two goals and one assist in four games, said he was innocent and that he had not taken any drugs.

The 18-month suspension would not prevent Millen from playing in the NHL.