Top hockey prospect Cherepanov engaged in blood doping

[Meadie]

New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov had been taking banned substances at the time of his death, Russian government investigators revealed on Monday.

Cherepanov, drafted in the first round by the Rangers in 2007, died after losing consciousness during a Russian Superleague game two months ago. Widely considered as one of hockey's top prospects, the 19-year-old forward was taken to hospital after collapsing late in the third period of the game between Vanguard Omsk and Chekhov, a small town south of Moscow. He never regained consciousness and passed away later.

An investigation by the prosecutor-general's office revealed — on its website www.sledcomproc.ru — that Cherepanov had heart problems and should not have been playing professional hockey. His condition, myocarditis, is an inflammation of the heart muscle which impedes the flow of blood to the organ.

After his death a chemical analysis by forensic experts of Cherepanov's blood and urine indicated that he had been taking banned performance-enhancing drugs in the months leading up to his death.

Several top Russian athletes in various sports have been banned for doping offences in recent months. Seven leading female athletes, including twice world 1,500 metres champion Tatyana Tomashova and world indoor 1,500 metres champion and record holder Yelena Soboleva, received two-year bans in October for manipulating their drug samples.

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