Graz99ers dismiss player after positive doping test

Graz99ers player Kilian Zündel has been dismissed with immediate effect after a positive doping test, ORF reported on Tuesday, days before the start of the ICE Hockey League.

The case concerns an intravenous infusion Zündel received on April 30. More than 100 millilitres were administered within 12 hours, which is prohibited under the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The international ice hockey federation subsequently suspended Zündel for two years. The Graz99ers said the club itself would face no consequences because the violation occurred after the end of the previous championship.

Club president Herbert Jerich said the team had been caught completely off guard but that the immediate dismissal had been unavoidable because the club had zero tolerance for doping in any form.

Zündel described the incident as a mistake but said he had not taken any prohibited substances. He said the infusion had contained only vitamins and was intended to help him recover after a physically demanding season.