Uwe Krupp, a West German defenseman who...

Uwe Krupp, a West German defenseman who plays with the Buffalo Sabres, tested positive for a banned drug after a World Hockey Championship game, West German officials said.

Krupp’s urine sample showed traces of an illegal drug, Helmut Bauer, technical director of the West German team, told the Associated Press.

“I don’t know what it is, but Uwe told me he took some sleeping pills when flying from the United States to the championships,” Bauer said.

The first doping test was carried out after West Germany’s 3-0 loss to Czechoslovakia on Friday. It must be confirmed by a second test, which will processed in a lab at Cologne, West Germany. That lab is approved by the International Olympic Committee.

Krupp did not answer his telephone at the West Germans’ team headquarters.

Krupp, a 25-year-old defenseman, has played for Buffalo for four seasons.