Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended 20 games without pay for violating the NHL and NHL Players Association’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

The NHL announced Monday that Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was suspended 20 games for violating the NHL/NHLPA's Performance Enhancing Substances Program. Per the NHL's statement, the suspension also includes "mandatory referral to the NHL/NHLPA Program for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health for evaluation and possible treatment.

Panthers top defenseman Aaron Ekblad has been suspended 20 games for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA performance enhancing substances program.

The NHL suspended Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad for 20 games without pay on Monday for a violation of the league's performance-enhancing substances program. "Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement,

Ekblad is the first NHL player in more than six years to be suspended for use of a performance-enhancing drug.

In a statement, Ekblad said he'd taken an undisclosed substance while recovering from a recent injury and that it was 'a shock' when he failed his drug test.

Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers has been suspended for 20 games for violating the NHL/NHLPA's performance-enhancing substances policy. Ekblad admitted to taking a substance to help with injury recovery without proper consultation.

The Florida Panthers will be without defenceman Aaron Ekblad for their final 18 regular season games and first two playoff games after he violated the NHL/NHLPA’s performance enhancing drug program.