Player suspended following breakage of anti-doping league policy

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Sam Walker
March 30, 2024 (11:45)

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The Brandon Wheat Kings, a WHL hockey organization, recently addressed a concerning incident involving one of their players, Matt Henry.

The team values "the integrity of hockey and the well-being of its athletes above all else" following news, and a statement has been issued:

Statement via the teams official website is as follows:

"The Brandon Wheat Kings are committed to the integrity of the sport of hockey and to the health and well-being of our athletes. It is with this commitment in mind that we address a recent incident involving one of our players, Matt Henry."

"Earlier this week we were informed by the Western Hockey League (WHL) that Matt had tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Since then we have worked with both Matt and the Western Hockey League Anti-Doping Committee to complete the necessary investigations. In line with the Canadian Hockey League Anti-Doping Policy and the principles of fair play, Matt has received an eight-game suspension."

"The Brandon Wheat Kings and the WHL take the issue of performance-enhancing drugs very seriously. We believe in maintaining a level playing field for all athletes and in fostering a culture of healthy, fair competition."

"Matt has expressed his regret over the situation and has agreed to participate in counseling to address this issue. The Brandon Wheat Kings fully support Matt in his journey to understanding and overcoming this challenge. We are committed to his health and well-being and will be with him every step of the way."

"We would like to thank the Western Hockey League and the WHL Anti-Doping Committee for their assistance and guidance in this matter. Their dedication to maintaining the integrity of our sport is invaluable."

"Moving forward, the Brandon Wheat Kings will continue to work closely with the WHL to enhance our education and prevention programs related to performance-enhancing substances. It is our priority to ensure that each of our players has the knowledge and support they need to make informed decisions about their health and careers."

"We ask for the media and our fans to respect Matt's privacy as he embarks on this process. We believe in Matt's ability to learn and grow from this experience."

"The Brandon Wheat Kings remain dedicated to upholding the highest standards of integrity and fair play in hockey. We are committed to working with the WHL and other partners to safeguard the health and future of our athletes and our sport."