The Toronto Maple LeafsDryden McKay was signed by Minnesota State goaltender, who won the Hobey Baker Award for the NCAA’s top player. After accepting a six month ban for violating anti-doping rules, he was banned from the sport for six months.
McKay (24 years old) signed a 2-year contract with Toronto Marlies, American Hockey League.
McKay became a college-free agent after he was not selected in the NHL draft. McKay told ESPN during the Frozen Four the NHL hasn’t pursued his request because he is only 5-foot-11, a time when it’s preferable to have goalies who can physically fill the net. McKay lost his final NCAA game with the Mavericks in April, losing 5-1 to Denver in the Frozen Four national champion game.
“Thanks to all of you in Mankato, for an amazing four years. Memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Being a Maverick will be something I will never forget. McKay tweeted “Excited for next chapter”. He had previously indicated that McKay would leave Minnesota State despite still being eligible for one year.
McKay was banned from competition for six months last week due to a violation of anti-doping rules. McKay can voluntarily enter Marlies’ facilities starting August 25, and will play for the team starting October 11.
McKay told ESPN that he was notified on Feb. 1 that a urine sample collected on Jan. 23 returned a positive test for ostarine, a muscle growth drug that’s not approved by the FDA and is considered a banned substance by the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee National Anti-Doping Policy and the International Ice Hockey Federation Anti-Doping Regulations.
McKay claimed that this amount did not have any direct performance benefits.
McKay thought that McKay’s ostarine might have come from one of his supplements. They were all sent to a laboratory for testing. He stated that ostarine was discovered in an allegedly natural Vitamin D3 immune booster, which he had taken for 10 days during COVID-19’s omicron variant surge.
McKay had been able to identify the source of contamination. An arbitrator lifted McKay’s suspension on February 3, until USADA made a final decision. The NCAA and Minnesota State Athletics were made aware. McKay was allowed to finish his senior season with the Mavericks. This led to their first Division I men’s hockey Frozen Four championship appearance.
The Hobey Baker Award Memorial Committee honored his Hobey Baker Award winning.
McKay accepted a suspension of six months from USADA upon the advice of Paul Greene, his lawyer.
“Generally the range is [for a non-intentional ingestion]Greene said that the time frame is between four to eight months and four to ten months depending on the circumstances. “They offered him six month, which is consistent with many cases I have been involved in. He was given the option of accepting six months or proceeding to a hearing. We all agreed that the six-month ban was most appropriate. Now that his season is over, let’s get started.
McKay had been drug tested following his appointment as an alternate player on the U.S. Olympic hockey squad for the Beijing Games in 2022. McKay was not needed.