Penguins’ Caleb Jones suspended 20 games for violating Performance Enhancing Substances Program

Caleb Jones has been suspended 20 games, without pay, for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program, the league announced Wednesday.

At the time of the test, I was receiving an exosome therapy for a documented injury from an outside provider.  I believe that my positive test was related to a contaminated substance associated with that treatment,” Jones said in a statement. “While I did not use the prohibited substance intentionally or for performance enhancement, I understand that players are responsible for everything that enters their body and accept the discipline imposed by the program. I’m sorry to have let down my teammates, the Penguins organization, and our fans.”

Jones, 28, signed a two-year, $1.8-million contract with the Penguins prior to this season. He has one assist in seven games in a season in which he has battled the injury bug.

Jones has 14 goals and 42 assists in 255 career games for the Edmonton Oilers, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings and Penguins.

“Throughout the process, Caleb has been forthcoming with the organization as to how he believes the positive test occurred,” Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said in a statement. “Caleb takes full responsibility for his actions, despite him being unaware that what he consumed was a prohibited substance at the time.”